§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated costs to the Contributions Agency associated with clearing the current backlogs which have occurred as a result of delays in implementing the NIRS II system. [65992]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is not available.
The Department's Agencies involved and Andersen Consulting have been working to an agreed plan to stabilise the system. As many of the milestones in this plan have been achieved recovery plans are now being drawn up. This planning needs to be progressed further before a cost can be associated to the recovery exercise.
§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the amount of compensation likely to be paid to personal pension providers by the Contributions Agency, as a result of delays in implementing the NIRS II system. [65991]
§ Mr. TimmsThe total amount of compensation to be paid to Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes on behalf of their scheme members will be determined by the date on which the posting of 1997–98 Class 1 Contributions is completed. Progress has been made and it is anticipated that the contribution information held for that year should be posted by April 1999.
It is estimated that the total amount of compensation to be paid will be between £35 and £40 million.