§ Mr. BoatengTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has given local authorities advice on the purchase of social service information database systems. [14098]
§ Mr. BowisMy Department has issued in various contexts advice on the importance of soundly based local information systems, and has provided nearly £50 million of supplementary credit approvals in cash terms over the period 1991–92 to 1995–96 for the purchase of computers and systems as part of the implementation of "Caring of People". The Department has also from time to time supported projects to develop information systems of use to social services departments, but in all cases decision to purchase a system is one for individual authorities to take.