§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [326679]
Sir Paul BerefordMy Department is aware of the issue and is currently investigating the scale and complexity of the problem and its potential cost effects. The Department's computer systems are primarily based upon modern technology, not affected by the millennium date problem. It is expected that those systems still residing on older technology will reach the end of their natural life and be replaced before 2000.