§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) 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; [13562]
(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 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [13563]
§ Mr. Liddell[holding answer 4 November 1997]: The majority of my Departments and agencies have submitted their costed plans to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency on schedule. Those that have not will be doing so shortly.
622WThe plans will be analysed by the Central Information Technology Unit and the CCTA and the conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament. The Plans will be exempted from disclosure under the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However, once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [13565]
§ Mr. Gordon Brown[holding answer 4 November 1997]: Year 2000 system audits and inventories were completed by my departments and agencies as follows:
Date Treasury September 1996 Inland Revenue November 1996 (January 1997 for Valuation Office agency) Customs and Excise December 1996 Royal Mint1 September 1997 National Savings July 1997 Office for National Statistics September 1997 1Systems are regularly reviewed. Date given is for last review.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13566]
§ Mr. Gordon Brown[holding answer 4 November 1997]: In view of the importance we are giving to the Year 2000 issue, I will be taking overall responsibility for ensuring that my departments' and agencies' IT systems are compliant. At official level, those with overall responsibility are as follows:
Responsibility Treasury Head of IT services Inland Revenue1 Deputy Director for the Business and Management Services division Customs and Excise Head of Corporate Development group Royal Mint Head of IT National Savings Director of Operations Office for National Statistics Director of Survey and Statistical Services division 1Includes Valuation Office.