§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on the basis of what experience of social security matters Logica acts as consultants to his Department.
§ Dr. BoysonLogica acts as operational research consultants to the Department on the basis of experience of social security matters gained in previous studies it has undertaken. All its work has been obtained through the process of competitive tendering.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what occasions and for what purposes Logica has acted as consultant to his Department.
§ Dr. BoysonIn the period since 1 April 1981 the Department has used the operational research consultancy services of Logica for studies in the following areas
Computerisation of Social Security Operations—December 1981 to May 1982.Number and location of Training Centres for Social Security Staff—January 1982 to May 1982.Aspects of Social Security Local Office Work—November 1982 to May 1983.Housing Benefit—November 1982 to date.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Logica was appointed as administrative consultant to his Department.
§ Dr. BoysonThe operational research consultants at Logica have been assisting the Department from time to time on a number of social security projects with an administrative content since December 1980.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what fees have been agreed with or paid to Logica in connection with its consultancy with his Department.
§ Dr. BoysonIn connection with the operational research studies for housing benefit, fees of £116,000 have been agreed with Logica Ltd. by the Department.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the directors or partners of Logica.
§ Dr. BoysonThe directors of Logica Ltd. are as follows:
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Messrs. Chris Rees David Mann Gordon Kirk Colin Rowland David Stanley Brian Martin Roger Cooper Ian Macleod Neil Prebble Andrew Karney David Lankey Chris Dain Simon Sarmiento Cliff Preddy Mike Deval
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence has been taken by Logica in the course of its consultancy on the workings of the housing benefit scheme.
§ Dr. BoysonLogica has conducted wide-ranging interviews with individual local authorities about all aspects of their systems for administering housing benefits.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on the basis of what experience of, or connection with, the workings of local government Logica was employed to act as a consultant to his Department on housing benefit changes.
§ Dr. BoysonFour consultancy firms were invited to tender for a study to identify and assess the different patterns of administration which local authorities have adopted to implement the new housing benefit scheme. Logica was selected on the basis of the following:
- the merits of its research proposal;
- value for money;
the wide experience of the proposed project team, which included experience of administrative studies in both the public and private sectors.