§ Mr. CotterTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to advise small businesses of the problems likely to occur with their computer systems as a result of the year 2000 problem. [5317]
§ Mr. BattleMy Department is working closely with Taskforce 2000, a body set up by the CBI and the IT industry, with our financial support, to spread awareness of the century date change problem to all levels of industry and co-ordinate action. A senior DTI official is seconded to the Taskforce, working through Business Link and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales, specifically to focus on alerting SMEs.
451WIn March 1997, DTI wrote to 120,000 UK Chief Executives drawing their attention to the issue and offering a DTI information pack containing advice and sources of help. To date, over 15,000 information packs have been distributed.
Officials are also working with the accounting and auditing professions to ensure that, as far as possible, all business in the UK are aware of the implications.