HC Deb 30 March 1998 vol 309 cc374-6W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to establish a global database of information relating to millennium compliance; and if he will make a statement. [34507]

The Prime Minister

I do not believe it would be practical to develop a database covering the whole world. However, Action 2000 is working with the UK IT supply sector to develop a database of relevant information on operating systems, software, fixing tools and support services available in the UK. Action 2000 plans to make its information available to UK businesses through their publications material and web site.

Mr. Donald Anderson

To ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken to strengthen the central co-ordination of the Government's programme to tackle the millennium date change problem. [37150]

The Prime Minister

1 have established a central unit to co-ordinate the government's work on the Millennium date change problem. The unit will be located in the Cabinet Office and will report directly to the President of the Board of Trade and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

I have also broadened the terms of reference of the Ministerial Group on the Millennium Date Change (MISC4), chaired by the President of the Board of Trade, to drive action across the whole of the public and private sectors, while continuing to give priority to preparing the national infrastructure for the Millennium date change. In parallel, I have also broadened the terms of reference of its Sub-Group (MISC4(P), chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to cover the whole of the public sector as well as Government Departments. This will provide a single focus for central Government and the wider public sector. Taken together, the changes will ensure that nothing is allowed to fall between the cracks.

The membership of each group reflects their wider roles, and ensures action is effectively tied in with that of other countries.

The revised terms of reference and membership are as follows: Ministerial Group on the Millennium Date change (MISC4) Composition

  • President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Chair)
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Paymaster General
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
  • Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
  • The Chairman of Action 2000 and the Prime Minister's Adviser on the Year 2000 problem are invited to attend.
Terms of Reference The terms of reference are: To drive action in the public and private sectors, including the national infrastructure, to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems related to the Year 2000 date change". Ministerial Sub-Group on the Millennium Date Change (MISC4(P) Composition
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Chair)
  • Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  • Paymaster General
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
  • Minister of State, Scottish Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Health
  • Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
  • Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
  • The Prime Minister's Adviser on the Year 2000 problem is invited to attend.
 Terms of Reference The terms of reference are: To drive action across central governmental Departments, Agencies and the wider public sector to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems related to the Year 2000 date change".