§ 46. Dr. David Clark (South Shields)What assessment she has made of the effect of the millennium bug internationally over the millennium date change. [104976]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office (Mr. Paddy Tipping)First, let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to the contribution made by my right hon. Friend, when he was in government, to tackling the millennium bug. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been following closely the international year 2000 scene for the past two years. A special unit was set up over the date-change period to monitor events as they happened. There were no reports of any significant disruptions to infrastructure systems around the world. The minor problems that did crop up were dealt with quickly and posed no real threat to essential services.
§ Dr. ClarkWill my hon. Friend continue to reiterate the point that the millennium bug did not cause international chaos for the simple reason that careful planning, precise preparation and pre-emptive remedial action had been put in hand to make sure that that did not happen? Were not the Government in the vanguard in that respect? Will he give the House some examples of breakdowns overseas—perhaps in the United States—that were rectified in time but which otherwise would have caused considerable difficulties?
§ Mr. TippingMy right hon. Friend is right. There were problems both here and overseas, and the United States had difficulties with its satellite systems. However, he makes the more important point that things do not go well without careful preparation and planning. I am delighted that the Government and the private sector in this country 147 were in the vanguard in that matter, as my right hon. Friend says, and that we were able to share our knowledge and information with others.