§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that hospitals' computers are millennium compliant; how much money has been allocated to this; what percentage of this has been given to Taskforce 2000; and if he will make a statement. [62411]
§ Mr. MilburnAll National Health Service trusts are required to report quarterly, in detail, on their plans for dealing with the Year 2000 problem. This information is published on the Internet, and is reported to Parliament as part of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's regular reports on progress in the public sector. The NHS Executive's regional offices, as part of their performance management responsibilities, analyse the returned questionnaires and follow up progress and issues through visits and other surveys. The purpose of these arrangements is not only to assess progress but to identify central support requirements to help ensure a successful outcome for all NHS organisations.
The latest returns for the period to 30 September 1998 show the reported position of the number of NHS organisations making satisfactory or good progress towards Year 2000 compliance currently standing at 93 per cent.
The NHS's estimate of the cost of dealing with the Year 2000 problem is £318 million. This figure includes the cost of replacing of deficient equipment.
The Department has not contributed any funding to Taskforce 2000.