HC Deb 04 November 1997 vol 300 cc95-7W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what is his estimate of the total cost of the United Kingdom public sector of resolving the computer millennium problem; and if he will make a statement; [13229]

(2) what assessment he has made of the progress being made by departments towards computer millennium compliance; if he expects all departments and public bodies to have achieved complete computer millennium compliance prior to 1 January 2000; and if he will make a statement. [13231]

Dr. David Clark

I have asked Government Departments to provide me with detailed and costed plans for dealing with the year 2000 date change problem as soon as possible after 1 October 1997.

I am awaiting an analysis and report on these plans from the Central Information Technology Unit and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency so that I can form an overall picture of progress, costs and future plans. Once I have done so I will inform Parliament.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those Departments and agencies which did not respond to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency questionnaire regarding progress towards millennium computer compliance, sent out in December 1996 to January 1997. [13230]

Dr. David Clark

In December 1996 and January 1997, the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency issued a year 2000 questionnaire to a sample of 133 central government departments, executive agencies and other public sector organisations. The majority of large departments and agencies responded to this questionnaire. Departments and agencies which did not respond are listed in the table. Most of these have responded to a follow-up survey carried out in the summer. All departments and agencies are required to complete a full and detailed costed action plan as soon as possible after 1 October 1997.

  • Export Credits Guarantee Department;
  • General Register Office for Scotland;
  • Intervention Board;
  • Legal Aid Board;
  • Lord Chancellor's Department;
  • Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department;
  • Serious Fraud Office;
  • The Royal Parks;
  • UK Passport Agency.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13632]

Mr. Kilfoyle

The action plans for resolving the computer millennium problem in the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its agencies and associated public bodies are complete. These plans will be published by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, when he has completed his analysis of the situation across Government as a whole.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [13633]

Mr. Kilfoyle

Estimates of the total cost of addressing the computer millennium problem within the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its Agencies and associated public bodies are:

To date 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00
(a) Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service minimal £27,600 minimal minimal
(b) Office of Public Service Agencies £61,128 £50,520 £136,457 £99,350
(c) Other public bodies nil nil nil nil

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13635]

Mr. Kilfoyle

In the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its Agencies and associated public bodies for which I am responsible, millennium computer compliance systems audits were completed between 1994 and September 1997.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13634]

Mr. Kilfoyle

The expenditure required to address the computer millennium problem will be met from within existing planned expenditure totals.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13636]

Mr. Kilfoyle

Within the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its agencies and associated public bodies, ministerial responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance rests with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Cabinet Office civil servant with responsibility for this work is the head of infrastructure. Responsibilities within the agencies are as follows:

Responsibility
Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency Year 2000 Programme Manager
The Buying Agency Director of Finance and IT
Property Advisers to the Civil Estate Director of Corporate Services
Security Facilities Executive Director of Finance and IT
Civil Service College Head of IS Services
Government Car and Despatch Agency Director of Finance
Central Office of Information Principal Establishment and Finance Officer