§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Contributions Agency expects to start processing NI returns for the current tax year using the new NIRS2 computer system. [46030]
§ Mr. DenhamThe processing of National Insurance returns using the NIRS2 system is a matter for George Bertram, the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.
Letter from David Slater to Mr. David Rendel, dated 15 June 1998:
George Bertram is the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency and has the responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency under which the processing of National Insurance returns on NIRS2 falls. In the absence of Mr. Bertram, I have been asked to answer your question about processing National Insurance returns using NIRS2 on his behalf.The new National Insurance Recording System (NIRS2) release which supports the processing of National Insurance (NI) returns is undergoing formal acceptance testing. On current plans, the processing of NI returns for the 1997–98 tax year will commence during July 1998, subject of course to satisfactory completion of the acceptance testing.The Contributions Agency will expect to process NI returns for the "current" tax year (1998–1999) with effect from April 1999.