§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate the extent and the reasons for the overspend by the Wessex regional health authority on its computer system; whether there are any plans for his Department to attempt to resolve the problems; whether there are any implications for his Department's own central computerisation project; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI have been assured by officers of Wessex regional health authority that their computer programme is not overspent; that current expenditure on computer systems continues to be within the capital allocation approved by the regional health authority for computing up to 31 March 1989; and that the computer programme continues to be under regular review by the regional health authority.
Officials are monitoring the progress of this project as part of the normal accountability procedures. There are at present no known implications for any existing departmental central computerisation projects.
For further information the hon. Member may like to consult the Wessex regional health authority.