§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's timetable for dealing with the Year 2000 Computer Problem; who is in charge of the project; how many staff are working on it; what is the projected cost of resolving the problem; and whether the project is on schedule. [7145]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department is on schedule to achieve the milestones identified by the Central IT Unit, Cabinet Office in response to the Year 2000 problem. By October 1997, we expect to produce a "prioritised" and fully costed plan for undertaking the appropriate574W and cost justified work. System modification and testing should be completed by December 1998. Accurate figures of the likely cost of dealing with the Year 2000 problem will not be available until the completion of the prioritised plan. The cost of remedial and preventative action will be met from within existing departmental provision.