To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the estimated total expenditure (a) by the Office for National Statistics and (b) from local authority contributions was on the new computer database for registry offices; (142370)

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 June 2007:

As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions concerning what assessment has been of the causes of the IT problems with the local authority registry offices' new RON computer database and what the estimated total expenditure by the Office for National Statistics and from local authority contributions was on the new computer database for registry offices. (142370, 142372)

A team of experts has been looking at the system and have identified a proposed resolution plan of activities. A full independent review is to be undertaken in due course.

The total cost of the new system (known as "RON") was estimated as just over £6m, of which some £3.5million is for the software, £2.5 million is for IT infrastructure. Local Authorities have not directly contributed to its development.