§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total budget for his Department's task force 2000; what is his Department's contribution to it; and what progress has been made to date to obtain the balance from the private sector. [450]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorTask force 2000 was set up by the private sector, not by the Department although with its encouragement. Its budget and funding are matters for them as it is for the private sector to address the date change problem from its own resources. The Department has offered initial funding of up to £170,000 as seed corn and task force directors are negotiating with private sector companies for further funds. The task force's objective is to raise awareness of the year 2000 problem, and has already received sponsorship for a London conference.