§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Attorney-General for what reason the Crown Prosecution Service did not meet the Government's target of producing an initial Year 2000 continuity plan by January; and for what reason it is not proposed to produce one until August. [78469]
The Attorney-GeneralFrom April 1999, the Crown Prosecution Service will be reorganised into 42 geographical CPS Areas. The reorganisation includes the appointment of 42 new Area Business Managers. The Crown Prosecution Service Year 2000 Project Board agreed that the production of Business Continuity Plans should await the appointment of the Area Business Managers as they will have a key role in the production, and operational ownership, of the Plans and business processes which the Plans must support.
August 1999 has been set as a date for the production of CPS Year 2000 Business Continuity Plans. This is an achievable target which takes account of the re-organising of the CPS in April and will enable Plans to be in place well in advance of the end of the year.