§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to make sure that the self-assessment computer system will have the comprehensive technical support necessary to put right promptly any faults that may occur in live operation. [41231]
§ Mr. JackElectronic Data Systems Ltd.—the Inland Revenue's information technology partner—will ensure that full technical support is provided by all companies contracted to supply components of the self assessment computer system. In particular Oracle, the company 911W supplying the software package for the database holding taxpayer records, will provide 24-hour support using its worldwide service network.
Such diagnostic and remedial work undertaken to support the system may at times necessitate specialist staff—either in the UK or, exceptionally, at Oracle facilities abroad—having access to copies of batches of taxpayer records. The handling of such confidential data will, as now, be governed by the strictest possible security arrangements to safeguard against misuse. The actual processing of individual's tax affairs and the development of the Inland Revenue's computer systems will continue to be undertaken wholly within the UK.
These comprehensive technical support arrangements will help ensure that the operation of the new self-assessment computer system is as trouble-free as possible.