§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems will be millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1246]
§ Mr. MorleyA programme of millennium preparations consisting of a series of parallel projects covering different aspects of the Department's computer systems and the associated technical infrastructure has been established under the general direction of the Department's IT Steering Committee. Another project has been established to address "non-IT" equipment containing embedded microprocessor chip technology, ranging from lifts and security systems to scientific equipment, as these may also be affected.
Current rate of progress is consistent with the targets set by the Central IT Unit of the Cabinet Office and CCTA, namely that:
an audit to identify the work needed to address the date change in the Department's computer systems was completed earlier this year;prioritised and costed plans for undertaking the work that is needed (which is already underway) will be provided to CCTA by October 1997;preparations for all business critical systems will have been completed by 31 December 1998, subject where appropriate to a final check of end-of-year financial systems by April 1999.