§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his working party on the Information Technology Implementation of European Monetary Union has assessed the need for the computer systems involved to be millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [20974]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe working party to which the hon. Member refers was commissioned by the Chancellor's Business Advisory Group to examine the Information Technology issues involved in the preparations for EMU. It has not, therefore, focused its work on the Year 2000 problem. However, the resource issues raised by the Year 2000 problem and their impact on EMU preparation have been recognised and considered by the working party.
The Government have recently set up a ministerial committee to look into the Year 2000 issue, with the public sector coordinated by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has launched the Action 2000 initiative with the aim of helping private sector businesses tackle the problem.