§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what hardware and software packages relating to social security have been sent out for tender.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe Department has a large number of contracts with the private sector for the supply of hardware and the development of software in support of the social security operational strategy and other programmes of computerisation.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what software packages relating to social security have so far been developed with regard to benefits and especially incapacity benefits.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardMost social security benefits have some form of automated assistance; we are at present in the process of developing a computer application for incapacity benefits.