§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when it was originally envisaged that EDS would be given management of the Inland Revenue computer; what changes have been made to the policy; and for what reasons. [31648]
§ Sir George YoungEDS was identified as the preferred supplier for delivering the Inland Revenue's IT services in November 1993. Under the terms of the contract signed by EDS and the Department in May 1994, transfer of staff, equipment and work would be in two phases or tranches. The first tranche, on 1 July 1994, covered operational support services. Development work will, subject to a formal decision by the Inland Revenue on whether to proceed, transfer in the second tranche in January 1996.
EDS took over management of the project to develop IT support for self-assessment on 19 June 1995. This does not in any way affect the transfer of the second tranche of work.