§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the preparedness of the nuclear power industry in dealing with the millennium computer date problem. [26263]
§ Mr. BattleThe nuclear power industry is well aware of the implications of the millennium computer date problem. Action is being taken to assess the scale of the problem and take remedial action as follows:
Magnox Electric is working in collaboration with other nuclear operators. Following an inventory and assessment phase, remedial work has been planned with the aim of completing work on their own systems by the end of 1998.
British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has instigated plans to implement its compliance strategy and achieve compliance by March 1999.
British Energy in co-operation with other nuclear operators and the Electricity Association has a comprehensive and well established Year 2000 programme. Following an inventory and assessment phase, work on essential and safety systems is on schedule to be completed by the end of 1998.
The UK Atomic Energy Authority is following a plan designed to ensure that key systems achieve compliance by the end of March 1999.
Chief Executives of these organisations are responsible for ensuring that their plans are successfully achieved. The DTI has been assured that the projects are currently on schedule.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what factors govern the publications recommended by the Millennium Hotline; and what mechanism determines what new titles are added. [26381]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 30 January 1998]: I understand from Action 2000 that they selected the sources of good practice based on advice from a team of experts, taking into account the size of businesses seeking help and the stage they have reached in tackling the 106W problem. Action 2000 is keeping the selection under review so that it can be improved as more material becomes available.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish a list of all makes of PCs sold in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years which will need modifying to work in 2000. [26392]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 30 January 1998]: We have no plans to publish such a list, but Action 2000 has already published a list of sources of information about many manufacturers' systems. I understand it also plans to make available information about some of the most popular commercial software.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice the Millennium Hotline is able to offer other than recommended publications. [26388]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 30 January 1998]: I understand from Action 2000 that the Hotline was set up initially to help disseminate the Millennium Bug Campaign information pack. Inquiries requesting specific information on tools, skills, training, and sources of advice on best practice can be referred to specialist help on these topics. As more information becomes available, the Hotline will be used to disseminate it.