NIRS2 Computer System (Hansard, 19 November 1998)

§ Mr. Peter Bradley
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to recover from the supplier the costs incurred by the public purse as a consequence of the Contributions Agency's computer system failure. [60750]

§ Mr. Timms
Compensation of £3.732 million has been paid in respect of changes to the original contract dates.
Work continues to assess the extent to which additional costs have or will be incurred. Consideration is also being given to the cause of any problems that may result in additional costs to the Department. Any future course of action will depend on the outcome of this work. We have not ruled out the possibility that compensation claims will in future be presented to the Supplier.

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 396, on problems with the NIRS2 computer system, if he will provide corresponding figures for the basic state pension. [60594]

§ Mr. Timms
The estimated total amount of basic State Pension being underpaid weekly because of problems with the NIRS2 computer is about £38,000. The total amount estimated to have been underpaid since April is about £510,000.

§ Mr. Peter Bradley
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Contributions Agency's computer system will be fully functional. [60748]

§ Mr. Timms
I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Answers I gave to the hon. Members for Newbur(Mr. Rendel) and for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1187, and 17 November 1998, Official Report, columns 499-500.

§ Mr. Peter Bradley
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements for compensation are being made for those affected by the failure of the Contributions Agency's computer system; and when and how they will be notified. [60749]

§ Mr. Timms
I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) on 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1187, and 4 November 1998, Official Report, columns 603-06.