§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department, with particular reference to those operated by the Crown Prosecution Service. [2619]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Crown Prosecution Service has identified all current CPS software systems which need to be checked for the millennium problem. An analysis of the staff effort needed for testing suggests that about one man year of work is involved. Work is also under way to identify other costs, such as replacement of outdated hardware.
The Serious Fraud Office estimates that a few man months of work will be required to make the necessary changes to its systems, if it becomes apparent that those systems will still be required in the new millennium. A number of those systems may in fact be replaced before the year 2000.
In the case of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and Government Property Lawyers, no significant cost effects are expected.