§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his most recent communication with the private sector to draw attention to the problem of the millennium compliance of computer systems. [20122]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThis month I am writing to 120,000 chief executives of British businesses to impress upon them the urgency and seriousness of the century date change problem. To help them focus on the main issues, I will set out a check list of seven vital questions which they should ask about the ability of their systems to handle the problem and I will explain how they can get further information.
§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with his EU counterparts on the millennium compliance of computer systems. [20123]
§ Mr. TaylorAt the Telecommunications Council on 6 March, I again raised the problem of the century date change for computer systems. I have also written to Commissioner Bangemann suggesting that the Commission should draw the attention of European industry to the problem and should consider voluntary means of avoiding disruption from the failure of companies to act quickly. I also suggested that the 389W "Definition of Year 2000 Conformity Requirement" developed by the British Standards Institution should be considered by the International Standards Organisation.