§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many subject access requests were received by the Contributions Agency in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998 to date; and if she will make a statement. [47367]
§ Mr. DenhamThe number of subject access requests received by the Contributions Agency is:
Year Requests 1995–96 13,229 1996–97 22,586 1997–98 27,242 1998 to date 5,993
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of delay caused by the introduction of the new computer at the Contributions Agency; and if she will make a statement. [46752]
§ Mr. DenhamThe introduction of the new computer system at the Contributions Agency is a matter for George Bertram, the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with further details.
Letter from Alan Fisher to Mr. Peter L. Pike, dated 25 June 1998:
George Bertram is the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency and is responsible for answering questions about all operational matters relating to the Agency and their new National Insurance Recording System 2 (NIRS2) computer system. In the absence of Mr. Bertram, I have been asked to reply to your question about our assessment of the delay caused by the introduction of the new NIRS2 system and to make a statement.Contributions Agency and Andersen Consulting are committed to ensuring, that by working together, every effort is made to introduce the new system at the earliest possible occasion whilst minimising any disruptive impact on our customers.Our plans assess possible impact on our customers in the event of delay and outline the steps that will mitigate such impacts. We regularly review these plans to make sure that they reflect the current status of system implementation and have a strategy to inform both customers and the pensions industry as to how delays in the introduction of the system will affect them.In a very small number of cases complex Retirement Pension and Widows Benefit claims will be finalised when supplementary information is available from the new system. Payment will be made meanwhile on the basis of available information.Our service to pension providers and scheme administrators has also been affected, but we are in close touch with the Industry and have set up direct contact facilities for the personal pension providers in order to identify and resolve issues relating to policy holders.