Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Friday, 5 October 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 October 2001. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 October 2001 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans he has for the future of the integrated enquiry service; how much has been spent on the system; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the integrated inquiry service; how much has been spent on the system; and if he will make a statement. [7475] Malcolm Wicks: The Integrated Inquiry Service project was established to examine the feasibility of providing local authorities which administer housing benefit with wider access to the Department's benefit data. This would build on the existing data available through remote access terminals linking local authorities to the Department systems. Our aim is to speed up the processing of claims and improve customer service by reducing authorities' dependence on clerical processes. A software application was developed by the project and tested in seven local authorities at an estimated cost of £800,000. An evaluation of these trials showed that there remained substantial technical problems to overcome before the tested application could satisfy the Department's and local authorities' business requirements. No assured solutions to these problems could be identified and we have therefore closed the project. We have commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of an alternative solution.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7475; 373 c242W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Databases Software Computers Housing benefit Expenditure Standards
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk