§ Mr. DorrellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects system testing for Year 2000 computer compliance to be completed within his Department. [32398]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 5 March 1998]: System testing for Year 2000 computer compliance is expected to be completed by the end of March 1999.
§ Mr. DorrellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list all the contracts placed with external contractors by his Department in connection with Year 2000 computer compliance setting out(a) the name of the contractor, (b) the date the contract was placed, (c) the scope of the contract and (d) the date when the work is expected to be complete. [32397]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 5 March 1998]: The Department has not placed any contracts with external contractors in connection with Year 2000 computer compliance. The Department does, however, have a partnership agreement under which its computer applications are developed and maintained by the FI Group. Under the agreement responsibility for making the applications Year 2000 compliant rests with the FI Group. In parallel with the work of the FI Group the Department's own staff are making compliant the networks and computers on which the applications are run. The joint programme of work is due to be completed by the end of March 1999.
§ Mr. DorrellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many officials or individuals working within his Department on Year 2000 computer compliance have(a) given notice of their intention to leave or (b) left the Department in the last six months. [32396]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 5 March 1998]: The senior official responsible for co-ordinating the Department's programme of work for Year 2000 computer compliance retired at the end of January. No other official or individual working on Year 2000 computer compliance has, during the last six months, left or given notice of intention to leave.