§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the computer centre at Oak house, Swindon, became operational; and if he will make a statement on the progress of implementing the Department's new computer systems.
§ Mr. JackI am pleased to be able to announce that Oak house, Swindon, started processing income support and pensions payments on 3 December. This additional processing centre, run by Sema Ltd. under the direction of the Information Technology Services Agency, will enable the implementation of the operational strategy in local offices to be completed by the middle of next year. A total of 387 local offices have now been connected and 75 per cent. of new income support claims are being processed by computer, thus giving better service to the public, improved job satisfaction to the staff and savings in administration.