Written question asked by Alex Salmond (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 20 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 July 1999. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 26 July 1999 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list the additional (i) headquarters functions, (ii) buildings, (iii) computer systems and (iv) other administrative functions which would be required for a separate Scottish social security system on the basis that the system inherited his Department's staff, buildings and systems in Scotland. - Includes fact that information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the additional (i) headquarters functions, (ii) buildings, (iii) computer systems and (iv) other administrative functions which would be required for a separate Scottish social security system on the basis that the system inherited his Department's staff, buildings and systems in Scotland. [92676] Mr. Timms: No. Social security is a reserved matter handled on a GB-wide basis and there are no plans to change this. The information requested is therefore not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information