HC Deb 04 November 1997 vol 300 cc158-9W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13595]

Mr. Dewar

My Department and associated agencies completed audits for Year 2000 computer compliance purposes on 8 October 1997. Responsibility for ensuring millennium compliance in other public bodies rests with the bodies themselves.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13592]

Mr. Dewar

The Scottish Office has sent an updated report on the computer millennium problems to the Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). Reports from all Departments will be analysed by the Central Information Technology Unit and the CCTA. The conclusions will be reported to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will give in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement; [13593]

(2) if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13594]

Mr. Dewar

It is not possible at this stage to predict accurately the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem across my Department, its Agencies and other public bodies. However it is expected that the cost of Year 2000 preventative and remedial action will be met within existing planned financial provision.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13596]

Mr. Dewar

I intend to retain overall responsibility for millennium computer compliance matters within my Department. The Director of Telecommunications is responsible for the compliance programme within The Scottish Office. Responsibility for ensuring millennium compliance in other public bodies rests with the bodies themselves.