§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the World Bank on assistance to third world110W countries on the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [33862]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is part of an informal donor network organised by the World Bank on matters concerning information technology and international communications. Last week, the Government committed £10 million of grant aid to the World Bank Trust Fund for Information Development. These funds are earmarked for assisting poor countries to identify problems of millennium compliance, to design strategies to overcome the problem in priority areas and to provide technical co-operation in support of the solutions. I am ready also to consider providing support directly to poor developing countries.
§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is being given to UK-aided countries on the threat to health and immunisation records and on other problems arising from the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [33863]
§ Clare ShortLast week, the Government committed £10 million to the World Bank's Trust Fund for Information Development to assist poor countries to identify problems of millennium compliance, to design strategies to overcome the problems in priority areas and to provide technical cooperation in support of the solutions. This could include help with health and immunisation records, but it is not possible to generalise about the extent to which health records are at risk in poor countries or what the solutions may be. I am also ready to consider providing support directly to poor developing countries.