HC Deb 27 January 1998 vol 305 c137W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1997,Official Report, columns 433–34, if all police forces have appointed a management team to deal with year 2000 compliance; and what arrangements have been made by each police force to monitor the implementation of actions to overcome year 2000 problems with particular reference to test facilities. [24725]

Mr. Michael

It is the responsibility of each police force to ensure that its information technology systems are Year 2000 compliant. Information about the management structures put in place by each force to address the problem and the arrangement for monitoring the implementation of their action plans is not available centrally. However, we are currently reviewing progress as part of the Government's determination to ensure that Year 2000 problems are identified and dealt with right across the public service. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary will also monitor progress as part of its regular inspections.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what current year 2000 problems have been reported to date by police forces. [24726]

Mr. Michael

The Police Information Technology Organisation is not aware of any incidences within police forces of system failure because of the millennium problem. Forces' own audits and information provided to them by suppliers have indicated potential problems with a number of information technology systems, including Command and Control, Crime Pattern Analysis and HOLMES I. The difficulties with HOLMES I will be overcome with the introduction of a year 2000 compliant HOLMES II, which will be in place before the end of the century. A Ministerial Group is urgently reviewing within Government and outside to ensure that all other systems are also year 2000 compliant.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he notifies potential purchasers of obsolete information technology equipment sold by his Department that such equipment may not be millennium compliant. [25657]

Mr. Straw

Surplus or obsolete information technology equipment is sold to companies, rather than individual consumers. In these instances, the Home Office gives no guarantee or warranty in respect of fitness for use, purpose or merchantable quality.