asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the local office project computer system currently being studied as a replacement for the Camelot system.

The local office project at Reading is at present in the design study stage. It is intended to bring computer support to local social security offices. Experience gained in the Camelot project which preceded it has been assimilated into the planning of the new work which is seen as a major project within the Department's long-term strategy for social security operations.