Written question asked by Gordon Marsden (Labour) on Thursday, 16 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 January 2000. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 10 January 2000 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what conditions he has identified as reasonable cause to terminate outsourcing contracts for the Information Technology Services Agency in terms of (a) cost, (b) delay and (c) failure to meet operational needs.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what conditions he has identified as reasonable cause to terminate outsourcing contracts for the Information Technology Services Agency in terms of (a) cost, (b) delay and (c) failure to meet operational needs. [103623] Angela Eagle: The Department is in detailed discussions and negotiations with its preferred IT supplier, Affinity. This work will not be complete before February and it is not until then that the detail of the contracts, in respect of termination, will have been finalised. We intend to make sure that sufficient contractual safeguards are in place in the event that the service provider fails to meet the contractual service requirements. Termination is one of the safeguards under discussion.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 342 c71W; 103623
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Computers Contracts for services Department of Social Security Government departments Information Technology Services Agency