§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress on implementing the operational strategy.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department's strategy for the computerisation of the social security payment system, which will be completed by July 1991, is proceeding as planned. The aims of the strategy are better service to the public through faster turnaround of claims, faster response to inquiries and less risk of payment errors; better value for the taxpayer by reducing the number of staff needed to administer social security; more satisfying jobs for staff by automating repetitive or tedious tasks thus enabling them to provide a better service to the public. By 21 January 1991, of a total of 451 offices, 411 had received the departmental central index, 402 the retirement pensions system, and 348 the income support system.