HC Deb 26 February 1970 vol 796 cc403-5W
Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total capital cost to public funds of bringing into operation the Schedule E computer centre at Bootle.

Mr. Taverne

Approximately £7.9 million.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total capital cost to public funds of bringing into operation the Schedule E computer centre at Cardiff.

Mr. Taverne

Approximately £7.4 million.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the estimated additional cost to public funds of the delay in bringing into operation the Inland Revenue computer centre at Bootle; and what proposals he has for recovering a part of this from contractors.

Mr. Taverne

The timetable for the computer centre at Bootle is under review and it is not possible at this stage to estimate what the cost of the delay will be. The expected savings accruing from the setting up of the Centre will be delayed, but the arrangements which I outlined in my reply of 16th February to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings) will ensure that the momentum of the automation programme is maintained. The last part of the question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Building and Works.—[Vol. 796, c. 37]

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total capital cost to public funds to date of the establishment of the Schedule E computer centre at East Kilbride.

Mr. Taverne

Approximately £4.1 million.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the plan to computerise the Schedule E Pay As You Earn operations of the Inland Revenue must be based upon nine separate computer centres; on what date the whole system underlying this proposal was last reconsidered; and what assistance with it his Department received from outside consultants.

Mr. Taverne

Yes. The decision to proceed in this way was reached after full consideration of all other practical methods, and I have no reason to think any reconsideration is called for. There was no assistance from outside consultants.

Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the reasons for the delay in bringing into operation the Inland Revenue computer centre at Bootle.

Mr. Taverne

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings) on 17th February.—[Vol. 796, c. 87.]

Forward to