§ Mrs. MayTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact on small businesses of the changes to computer equipment required to accommodate the year 2000. [9533]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 18 July 1997]: The century date change problem is a serious issue which will affect many businesses, large and small.
Every business should consider whether its crucial business functions depend on IT systems and take action to deal with those systems. The impact will be much more serious if a business fails to take action where action is necessary. Chief executives must take this issue on board now and ensure that the survival of their business is not compromised.
Industry and Government need to work together to raise awareness and understanding of this problem and I shall be doing all I can to inject a sense of urgency across as wide a section of the industry and commerce as possible.
My Department is closely involved with Taskforce 2000, a body set up by the Confederation of British Industry and the IT industry, with our financial support, to spread awareness and co-ordinate action. I have asked officials to explore, with the taskforce and industry, what more can be done to help the private sector to tackle the problem.
On 22 July I hosted the millennium IT skills summit to tackle the shortage in skilled IT staff and I have called for a report on new initiatives in September.