§ Mr. CotterTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if Government Departments have now reported on their preparedness for the year 2000 problem; and when the results will be published. [14994]
§ Mr. David ClarkI have been asked to reply.
Within Government itself, Departments and Agencies are responsible for their own systems. The Central Information Technology Unit, through its agent the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency supports the public sector. As part of that support CITU and CCTA have identified a programme of action to ensure that Government's response to the year 2000 problem is co-ordinated and coherent. This involves each Government Department providing me with detailed and costed plans for dealing with the year 2000 date change problem as soon as possible after 1 October 1997.
I am awaiting an analysis and report on these plans from the CITU and the CCTA so that I can form an overall picture of progress, costs and future plans. Once I have done so I will inform Parliament.