Adapt 98 Scheme

HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc840-1W

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the operation of the Adapt 98 Scheme in the Yorkshire area; what is the reason for the delay in the introduction of CAPS; and by how much the private sector estimate of cost has exceeded the set target. [79179]

Mr. Timms

The ADAPT Partnership period ended on 12 November 1998. We are currently considering the way forward for this project.

The Customer Accounting Payment Strategy (CAPS) project is a Benefits Agency initiative that is developing the systems that will change the way the Agency records customer's details and accounts for benefit expenditure. It also supports payment of benefit by way of the payment card that is being introduced as part of a PFI project to automate Post Offices and benefit payments. The CAPS project has met all its contractual obligations and is proceeding to plan.

Information about the cost to the private sector of the payment card and Post Office Automation Project is confidential to the PFI supplier, ICL Pathway.