HC Deb 12 July 1996 vol 281 c338W
Mr. Alan Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the results of the feasibility study for market testing personal details and customer services work for the Contributions Agency. [35684]

Mr. Heald

Operational responsibility for the Contributions Agency lies with Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from George Bertram to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 12 July 1996: As the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency is away from the office, I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency in her absence. I have been asked to reply to your question about the results of the feasibility study for market testing personal details and customer services work for the Contributions Agency. The personal details and customer services feasibility studies have been taken forward under the new titles of Account Alteration Unit and Archive/Tracing Unit and resulted in a number of recommendations. The main thrust of the recommendations is that business units should investigate methods of producing savings, including enhanced IT systems and benchmarking with the private sector.