§ Mr. SteenTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on the reasons for the introduction, and the budgeted and actual cost, of the new payroll and personnel system for House of Commons staff; and what savings he expects to be made in each of the next two years.
§ Mr. BeithThe new payroll and personnel system is being introduced to replace two separate systems, one of 433W which was introduced in 1984, and the other in 1988. The new system will provide additional personnel information and improved payroll analyses to facilitate the introduction of financial management systems within the House. It will also provide the facility for payroll and personnel records functions for the staff of the Parliamentary Works Directorate.
Outline provision for hardware and software costs was made in the estimates for £130,000, excluding training costs and VAT, for the new system. The actual cost is expected to be slightly less than this figure. No direct staff savings are expected, but the new system will allow for an increase in the workload of some 15 per cent. as a result of the transfer to the House of the staff of the Parliamentary Works Directorate.