§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contingency plans her Department is making in the event of the failure of computer systems to recognise the year 2000; when she expects them to be in place, and tested; and if she will make a statement.[48840]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments are addressing contingency planning within their overall year 2000 programmes to ensure that systems will not fail before, during, or after the year 2000. The plans are due to be in place by December 1998 and will be tested by the Departments during 1999.