Written question asked by Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 28 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 April 2003. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 April 2003 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, which local authorities do not have electronic interfaces with (a) the Pension Service and (b) Jobcentre Plus.

Answer: Sir Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which local authorities do not have electronic interfaces with (a) the Pension Service and (b) Jobcentre Plus. [106648] Maria Eagle: Electronic access between local authorities and the Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus is available through remote access terminals. Remote access terminals provide a simple, inexpensive system that greatly speeds up the transfer of information between the Department and local authorities. All authorities have access to remote access terminals, with the exception of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, where the housing benefit case load is so small (around 50 cases at August 2002) that it would not be financially viable to invest in the enhanced technology.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 106648; 403 c336W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Access Computers Computer networks ICT Jobcentre Plus Local government Pension Service
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk