Written question asked by Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 6 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 July 1999. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 15 July 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the contractual arrangements for the imposition of penalties on the contractors responsible for the introduction of new information technology systems at the Passport Agency; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the contractual arrangements for the imposition of penalties on the contractors responsible for the introduction of new information technology systems at the Passport Agency; and if he will make a statement. [90590] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Under the Passport Agency's contracts with Siemens Business Services (SBS) and Security Printing and Systems (SP&S) formerly The Stationery Office Ltd., service credits are available in relation to timeliness of delivery of data to the United Kingdom Passport Agency (UKPA); accuracy of data when delivered to the UKPA; transmission of data to printers; timeliness in printing the passport; system availability; and accuracy of the manufactured product. Service Credits of £66,951 have so far been levied on SBS for system availability (£47,232) and accuracy of data passed to the Agency (£19,696). Service credits of £4,489 have been levied on SP&S for accuracy of the manufactured product.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 90590; 335 c311W;335 c313W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Contracts Software Computers Fees and charges ICT Siemens United Kingdom Passport Agency Contract compliance
Contains statistics: Yes