HC Deb 13 January 2000 vol 342 c224W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the time scale for(a) the tendering process and (b) the production of the new computer system for the Child Support Agency; and if he will estimate the likely total cost of this project. [104705]

Angela Eagle

Discussions are currently in progress with the Department's private sector partner, the Affinity consortium, on the overall scope of the IT solution, a contract to develop and operate a new computer system, and the time scales for delivery. Costs are subject to negotiation.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the existing computer system operated by the Child Support Agency could support the calculations of maintenance liabilities under the new formula proposed in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill. [104704]

Angela Eagle

It might be possible to amend the Child Support Computer System to support a certain amount of work under the new system, but not without some difficulty.