To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many months the IT project for the Inland Revenue's new 2003 tax credits system was assessed as red light before April 2003; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many months the IT project for the Inland Revenue's new 2003 tax credits system was assessed as red light before April 2003; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the late change requests to the tax credits IT project made between April 2002 and April 2003, including those made by the Inland Revenue project board and policy board.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the late change requests to the tax credits IT project made between April 2002 and April 2003, including those made by the Inland Revenue project board and policy board.

(2) what written undertakings and assurances were sought from EDS by (a) his Department and (b) the Inland Revenue prior to the new tax credits system going live in 2003; when these assurances were (i) sought and (ii) given; and if he will make a statement.

(2) what written undertakings and assurances were sought from EDS by (a) his Department and (b) the Inland Revenue prior to the new tax credits system going live in 2003; when these assurances were (i) sought and (ii) given; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what guarantees were (a) sought from and (b) given by EDS in respect of the tax credits IT project within one month of the introduction of the new tax credits system in 2003; and if he will make a statement;

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what guarantees were (a) sought from and (b) given by EDS in respect of the tax credits IT project within one month of the introduction of the new tax credits system in 2003; and if he will make a statement;

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates since the beginning of 2002 on which his Ministers met (a) EDS and (b) revenue officials to discuss the IT problems with the new tax credits system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates since the beginning of 2002 on which his Ministers met (a) EDS and (b) revenue officials to discuss the IT problems with the new tax credits system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the (a) internet service providers and (b) mobile phone companies who are using their technology to block access to child pornography websites;

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the (a) internet service providers and (b) mobile phone companies who are using their technology to block access to child pornography websites;

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what upgrades are being made to the hardware and software elements of the Criminal Cases Review Commission's IT system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what upgrades are being made to the hardware and software elements of the Criminal Cases Review Commission's IT system.

: I agree, but it is important to have information about those items that are not provided, so that we can consider sensibly whether an assumption that the private sector can come and sweep up the market is dogmatic or realistic. I hope that the Minister will insist on having...

: I agree, but it is important to have information about those items that are not provided, so that we can consider sensibly whether an assumption that the private sector can come and sweep up the market is dogmatic or realistic. I hope that the Minister will insist on having...

The hon. Lady is speaking up powerfully for her constituents. Does she think that anything of an inherent public service ethos is to be found in this process? After all, Tesco has to have extraordinarily reliable, up-to-the-minute delivery systems and so on as well. Could the hon. Lady clarify why...

The hon. Lady is speaking up powerfully for her constituents. Does she think that anything of an inherent public service ethos is to be found in this process? After all, Tesco has to have extraordinarily reliable, up-to-the-minute delivery systems and so on as well. Could the hon. Lady clarify why...

: The review was conducted some time ago and it makes interesting reading on the potential for market expansion. The report recognises that we should not expect all NHS supplies to be provided centrally. Sometimes, therefore, it is not necessarily sensible to say that a certain proportion should be provided...

: The review was conducted some time ago and it makes interesting reading on the potential for market expansion. The report recognises that we should not expect all NHS supplies to be provided centrally. Sometimes, therefore, it is not necessarily sensible to say that a certain proportion should be provided...

: Further to the question that my hon. Friend the Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall) asked about the 1998 Cabinet Office report, does my hon. Friend recognise that parts of it are not really relevant now, given the expansion of NHS resources since 2001? The authors of the report...

: Further to the question that my hon. Friend the Member for Weaver Vale (Mr. Hall) asked about the 1998 Cabinet Office report, does my hon. Friend recognise that parts of it are not really relevant now, given the expansion of NHS resources since 2001? The authors of the report...

: Yes, I am. NHS Logistics has won a string of awards. For example, last year it won an IT technology award for which it was praised by Sir Nigel Crisp. I am particularly interested in the IT awards, because we are told that the need for investment in a...

: Yes, I am. NHS Logistics has won a string of awards. For example, last year it won an IT technology award for which it was praised by Sir Nigel Crisp. I am particularly interested in the IT awards, because we are told that the need for investment in a...

Some queries have been raised against the validity of the Cabinet Office study to which my hon. Friend referred. Would she like to comment on that?

Some queries have been raised against the validity of the Cabinet Office study to which my hon. Friend referred. Would she like to comment on that?

I apologise for my late arrival, Mr. Olner, but I have rarely seen such appalling traffic as I encountered on my way here. I am pleased to have secured this debate about the future of NHS Logistics and the market testing process being carried out as part of the review...

I apologise for my late arrival, Mr. Olner, but I have rarely seen such appalling traffic as I encountered on my way here. I am pleased to have secured this debate about the future of NHS Logistics and the market testing process being carried out as part of the review...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. Is she aware that last year NHS Logistics beat all comers, including private sector organisations, to win the coveted supply chain of the year award, which is organised by Motor Transport magazine?

I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate. Is she aware that last year NHS Logistics beat all comers, including private sector organisations, to win the coveted supply chain of the year award, which is organised by Motor Transport magazine?

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. If there were a completely free market, the NHS Logistics Authority might do more business than it does at the moment. It is important to note that we already have an efficient business that guarantees security of delivery, and that it is...

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. If there were a completely free market, the NHS Logistics Authority might do more business than it does at the moment. It is important to note that we already have an efficient business that guarantees security of delivery, and that it is...

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. The simple fact is that NHS Logistics does not have a monopoly of supply in the NHS. The NHS purchases from NHS Logistics because it is the best supplier. If the NHS was not satisfied with the service from NHS Logistics, it...

: My hon. Friend makes a valid point. The simple fact is that NHS Logistics does not have a monopoly of supply in the NHS. The NHS purchases from NHS Logistics because it is the best supplier. If the NHS was not satisfied with the service from NHS Logistics, it...

: Does my hon. Friend know whether a proper study has been carried out of whether those who will have to deal with this new private sector body—if it is created—to purchase additional goods wish to do so, or whether they wish to continue getting goods through NHS Logistics? Is...

: Does my hon. Friend know whether a proper study has been carried out of whether those who will have to deal with this new private sector body—if it is created—to purchase additional goods wish to do so, or whether they wish to continue getting goods through NHS Logistics? Is...