HC Deb 04 November 1997 vol 300 cc107-8W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13611]

Mr. Tom Clarke

As with all matters relating to the running of the Department, ultimate responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport rests with the permanent secretary who is supported in this matter by the head of information systems. Responsibility for the Department's sponsored bodies rests with the individual accounting officers.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) 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; [13610]

(2) 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. [13608]

(3) 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. [13607]

Mr. Tom Clarke

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has submitted its costed action plan to CCTA. This plan along with those of other Departments will be analysed by CITU and CCTA. The conclusions will be reported to my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who then will inform Parliament.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [13609]

Mr. Tom Clarke

The cost of preventive and remedial action on Year 2000 will be met from existing PES provision.