HC Deb 16 March 1998 vol 308 cc442-3W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for the international testing of computer systems for their millennium compliance with NATO allies; and if he will make a statement; [33383]

(2) what discussions are taking place in (i) the NATO Forum (ii) NATO Partnership for Peace and (iii) the OSCE on the millennium compliance of computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [33381]

Mr. Spellar

The UK is active in generating awareness of the millennium problem within NATO. The MOD has provided briefings to NATO Allies, with Partnership For Peace members in attendance, on its experience and progress in addressing the problem nationally. We have highlighted the need for a corporate commitment to address the problem in both NATO and national systems, and the need for a collaborative approach to checking and testing to ensure that critical systems and vital inter-operation are not jeopardised by the problem. In the context of the OSCE, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the issue of 'millennium compliance' of the OSCE national consultation network is being raised at a meeting in Vienna later this month.

Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in ensuring the millennium compliance of computer systems in the Royal Navy, and on plans to undertake the action necessary on ships on operational duty at sea. [33382]

Mr. Spellar

All computer systems currently in service with the Navy are being assessed for millennium compliance as part of the wider MOD activity currently being conducted. Any action required to make systems compliant will, as far as possible, be carried out as part of routine maintenance schedules, taking account of the high priority we attach to this issue.

We are liaising with suppliers to ensure that all future systems, including Naval computer systems, are designed and built with millennium compliance.

Back to