§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that his Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [1249]
§ Mr. StrawMy Department is aware of the problem. Year 2000 managers have been appointed in each business area to deal with it and a steering committee, chaired at director level, has been established to monitor and co-ordinate action taken across the Department. The Department's information technology (IT) supplier (Sema Group) has completed an audit of IT systems and is about to commence more detailed analysis. The aim is to produce a prioritised, costed programme of action by October 1997 and to have implemented and tested modified systems by the end of 1998. This is in line with the recommendations of the Central IT Unit (CITU) and the National Audit Office.
6WWe are participating in the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency's programme of consultation and education and are members of the Year 2000 Public Sector Group.