§ 24. Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the millennium compliance of his Department's computer systems and of those in local government, together with those with which they are connected; and if he will make a statement. [7874]
§ Mr. GummerMy Department is aware of the potential problems to departmental systems that may be caused by the millennium date change.
The Department is a member of the public sector year 2000 group and is currently undertaking a study which will produce a year 2000 compliance audited inventory of systems, which will form the basis of a costed departmental year 2000 programme.
It is for individual local authorities to assess for themselves the millennium compliance of their computer systems and take whatever action they consider necessary.