§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice and assistance is available through training and education councils to businesses in respect of the millennium compliance of computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [15824]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorMy Department has sent information packs on the century date change problem to all business links in England—in which training and enterprise councils are partners—and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales. The pack includes a description of the problem, frequently asked questions and guidance on what businesses should do to address the problem. The business links were also invited to respond if they required further assistance in disseminating the information. In February 1997, a senior official from the communications and information industries directorate was seconded to the Confederation of British Industry, the Computer Software Science Association, DTI-led Taskforce 2000 with the specific responsibility of supporting the business links in this awareness and information dissemination activity.