§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department has current dealings with(a) non-governmental organisations and (b) suppliers which are not millennium compliant; and on what date his Department will cease to deal with (i) non-governmental organisations and (ii) suppliers which are not millennium compliant. [20532]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesThe degree of the year 2000 date change problem for my Department depends on a number of factors including the nature and relative importance of non-governmental organisations and suppliers to the business of the Welsh Office. My Department is following the guidance issued by the central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) on the action to be taken to deal with the problem. The Welsh Office will assess the nature of its contractual relationships with non-governmental organisations and suppliers to establish the impact of non-compliance.
All non-governmental organisations and suppliers will need to show that their relevant systems are millennium compliant wherever these would have a significant impact on the business of the Department. If they cannot do so by 31 March 1998 we will review the contractual arrangements.