§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what compensation will be available for people whose benefit payments are delayed as a result of problems with the NIRS 2 computer; [58259]
(2) how many pensioners (a) have been and (b) are forecast to be affected by the difficulties in introducing the NIRS 2 computer; and in what circumstances pensioners are not receiving their full pensions. [58260]
(3) what estimates his Department has made of the number of people affected (a) in total and (b) according to benefit claimed as a result of the difficulties with the introduction of the NIRS 2 system; [55850]
(4) how many new claimants have been awarded full benefit entitlement without establishment of national insurance records as a result of the difficulties with the introduction of the NIRS 2 computer system. [55848]
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many(a) pensioners, (b) widows and (c) widowers are currently in receipt of emergency payments because of the failure of the NIRS 2 computer system; [55854]
(2) what tests were carried out before the NIRS 2 computer system was implemented. [55855]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 22 October 1998]: I refer the hon. Members to the Written Answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) on 4 November 1998, Official Report, columns 603–06.