HL Deb 10 December 1997 vol 584 cc30-1WA
Lord Gainford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps are being taken to ensure that all computerised systems affecting air safety are ready for a smooth transition to the year 2000.

Baroness Hayman:

The Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services Ltd.(NATS—a wholly owned subsidiary of the CAA) fully recognise the importance of addressing the year 2000 issue. In May 1996, NATS began reviewing its operational computer systems, and work is now in hand to implement the necessary remedial action prior to the start of validation testing in September 1998.

NATS has covered some 700 pieces of equipment in the review. A number of solutions to potential problems are available, and each piece of equipment will need to be evaluated to determine which solution is the most appropriate in terms of cost effectiveness. Options for possible solutions are based on system or component replacement, modification of existing software or changes in the way the equipment is operated. NATS believes the technical issues are in themselves relatively simple to resolve. It is the number of potential changes required, the amount of testing, the short deadline and financial and staffing restraints which present the biggest challenge.

In addition to the NATS review of air traffic control and related systems, the CAA's Safety Regulation Group (SRG) initiated a study in May 1997 to identify the scale and nature of the problem in all their applications, including those which are safety critical. The study will look at any equipment containing a microprocessor chip, personal computer hardware and software, all other computer systems and paper forms, whether provided by CAA or by external suppliers. The study will set implementation dates for solutions to any problems encountered, which SRG has undertaken to meet.

SRG, along with the other CAA Groups (Economic Regulation and Directorate of Airspace Policy) and NATS, is also part of the CAA Year 2000 Liaison Working Group, which has met representatives of the US Federal Aviation Administration and will work with them at future meetings in order to share experiences and plans.

The Government are monitoring closely the steps the CAA and NATS are taking to ensure a smooth transition. Between now and the date of implementation of all solutions, progress reports will be requested and examined.

I would also refer the noble Lord to the reply the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave to the honourable member for Crewe and Nantwich, on 19 June 1997 (Official Report, Vol. 296, col. 277).