§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost to public funds of the NIRS2 computer problem; and when the backlog of payments arising from this will be cleared. [150502]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 5 March 2001]: The compensation payments made by Inland Revenue and DSS to pension providers and benefit recipients, was £62.6 million to 31 January 2001.
The arrears of work in both DSS and Inland Revenue caused by the delay continue to be cleared as quickly as possible.