§ Mr. Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial aid is available from Her Majesty's Government to British firms working to tender for the contracts to install the national unemployment benefits computer system; and when he will announce the name of the company whose tender has been accepted.
§ Mr. WhitneyThere is no Government aid specifically for work connected with tendering for the contracts to install the national unemployment benefit computer system. General questions of financial aid for British firms are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. We expect to announce the name of the company whose tender for terminals has been accepted toward the end of January 1985. A contract for the main frame computer equipment was awarded to ICL on 20 November.
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§ Mr. Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage, by value, the national unemployment benefits computer system will be installed in his Department's headquarters at Newcastle upon Tyne.
§ Mr. WhitneyNone of the equipment being purchased for the national unemployment benefit system is to be installed at our Newcastle upon Tyne central office.