§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the original estimated commencement date for the case records administration and management system for the probation service in England and Wales; what are the revised arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [31388]
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 11 June 1996]: The case records administration and management system was introduced in two area probation services on a pilot basis in November 1995 as planned. This piloting identified both some programming faults and changes needed to ensure that the system fully reflects current practice. These are now being undertaken; we expect the system to be ready for operational use within three to four months, about six months later than originally planned.
§ Mr. CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was originally allocated to CRAMS for the probation service in England and Wales; what is the most recent estimate of the actual cost; and if he will make a statement. [31389]
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 11 June 1996]: The business case for the national probation service information systems strategy, of which the case records administration and management system is a part, was based on an estimate three years ago that the total capital and revenue costs over 10 years of implementing the strategy would be £97 million. That estimate remains valid. The costs of developing CRAMS itself, which is one of 15 prospective software applications within the strategy, are commercially confidential but represent less than 1 per cent. of the total cost of the strategy and remain within budget.