§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what assessment he has made of the impact of the year 2000 computer bug on the operation of the House of Commons. [50172]
§ Mr. AllanThe House of Commons has been actively involved in assessing the Year 2000 problem for some time, and has commissioned a working party under the management of the Network Administrator's Group (NAG). This forum has produced the 'Year 2000 Implementation Guide for the Houses of Parliament', and contains a 'Definition of Year 2000 Conformity Requirements' prepared by the British Standards Institution committee, (their reference BDD/1/-/3). The NAG forum has tested and identified a set of tools and procedures for remedial action.
Each department in the House of Commons is busy developing a project plan, using these NAG recommendations, to ensure their systems are fully compliant. As part of this plan PCD will facilitate a test schedule for weeks commencing the 10 and 17 August 1998 so that all departments can test their computer equipment with the PDVN.