§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total cost of the millennium date change to(a) the public sector and (b) the private sector; what provision he has made in the projections for the public finances for this change; and if he will make a statement. [33883]
§ Mr. Waldegrave[holding answer 21 June 1996]: The Minister for Science and Technology set out the latest position on 6 June 1996 at columns 816–20. Departments are assessing the extent to which their systems are affected and are preparing plans to effect any necessary action. The Government have not estimated the total cost to the public sector, which will be met within existing 384W plans. Ministers with industry sponsorship responsibilities are taking steps to ensure that the sectors in which they have an interest are fully aware of the problem and are taking appropriate measures.