HC Deb 22 October 1998 vol 317 cc1187-8W
Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of compensation, and to which pension companies, has been offered by his Department as a result of late payments and national insurance contributions due to the difficulties with the introduction of the NIRS II system. [55847]

Mr. Timms

Pension companies will start to receive compensation payments for the delay to age-related rebates from 1 November 1998. The payment calculation is based on the assumption that payments should have been made, on average, by October following the end of the tax year to which the rebate relates.

Payments made at the beginning of November will be increased by 0.5 per cent. Payments will be increased by a further 0.5 per cent. for each subsequent month until the expected level of payment is reached.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the NIRS II computer system to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [55852]

Mr. Rendel

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the NIRS II system to be handling the number of cases which it was originally planned to handle. [55849]

Mr. Timms

The NIRS2 computer system is being introduced using a phased release strategy. The final phase, combining Release 2 and Release 3, is planned for April 1999.

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