§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Keighley of Monday 5 March, what is the type of computer being purchased; who is advising on the purchase, installation and operation; whether existing information arrangements are compatible with the proposed computer installation; and what is the date of anticipated operation of the computer, and the cost and staffing levels involved.
§ Mr. John Grant, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 11] gave the following reply:
The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission advises me that a number of suppliers have been invited to submit proposals for a computer system which 115W will meet the Executive's requirement. As is normal, the Central Computer Agency is acting as the Executive's agent and adviser.
The new system will enable better use to be made of the information the Health and Safety Executive receives, both in the regular enforcement and advisory work of its field staff and in providing and analysing statistics as a basis for policy decisions and for publication.
No net increase in staffing levels will be needed. The procurement cost will be known only after tenders have been received and a contract has been placed with a supplier. The system selected should be in operation throughout Great Britain early in 1981.