HC Deb 23 March 1998 vol 309 cc34-40W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study into computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Office has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32755]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) officials and (b) others are currently working on computer millennium compliance in the Scottish Office; and how many have (i) given notice of their intention to leave or (ii) left the Department in the last six months. [32750]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Within the Scottish Office, the central compliance team consists of 1 part-time and 2 full-time officials supplemented by 3 full-time contract staff. In addition, around 10 full-time equivalent staff are currently employed across the Department. One member of staff employed on Year 2000 activities has left in the past six months.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Treasury Ministers to discuss the costs of computer millennium compliance; and from which budgetary sub-head the costs will be met. [32753]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Education and Industry, Scottish Office is representing The Scottish Office on the two Ministerial Groups addressing these matters. The costs of computer millennium compliance will fall on the appropriate Votes for the various bodies concerned.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to discuss the progress of the Scottish Office towards achieving computer millennium compliance. [32752]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Education and Industry, Scottish Office is representing the Scottish Office on the two Ministerial Groups addressing these matters. My Department provides regular reports on progress towards achieving Year 2000 compliance. These have been placed in the library of the House and on the Internet.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when all testing on year 2000 computer compliance will be completed in the Scottish Office. [32751]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The reports provide information on the timetable being followed by The Scottish Office in achieving Year 2000 compliance.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32758]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Agricultural Science Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency towards achieving millennium compliance.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Historic Scotland has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32757]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Historic Scotland are currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by Historic Scotland towards achieving millennium compliance.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost to the Scottish Office of(a) consultants and (b) contractors engaged by his Department to address the issue of computer millennium compliance; and if he will list them. [32754]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities and costs described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on the estimated overall cost to The Scottish Office of achieving Year 2000 compliance. Contractors are currently being supplied by Newall and Budge, Montrose Computing and IBM Global Services.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Court Service has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32728]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Court Service is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Court Service towards achieving millennium compliance.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Fisheries Research Service has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32756]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Fisheries Research Service is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Fisheries Research Service towards achieving millennium compliance.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Accounts Commission for Scotland has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32734]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Accounts Commission for Scotland is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of each health board in Scotland have has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32741]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Health Boards are being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Scottish Health Service Year 2000 compliance activities.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32729]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. these reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency towards achieving millennium compliance.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Scottish Enterprise has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32736]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Scottish Enterprise is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32738]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Prison Service has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32731]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Prison Service is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Prison Service towards achieving millennium compliance.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Office Pensions Agency has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32730]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office Pensions Agency is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Office Pensions Agency towards achieving millennium compliance.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of each police constabulary in Scotland have been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32740]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Police force computer systems in Scotland are a matter for individual police authorities and joint police boards. My officials are discussing with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) how best to ensure that councils can demonstrate that they are effectively addressing the Year 2000 problem.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Highlands and Islands Enterprise has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32735]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Highlands and Islands Enterprise is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Scottish Record Office has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32732]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Record Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Scottish Record Office towards achieving millennium compliance

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32733]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Students Awards Agency for Scotland is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21, by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. These reports include information on progress made by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland towards achieving millennium compliance.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of Scottish Homes has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32739]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Scottish Homes is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he will establish in case of computer failure on 1 January 2000 in respect of the Scottish water authorities. [32748]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish water authorities are being asked to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998, and will include information about contingency planning.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he will establish in case of computer failure on 1 January 2000 in respect of(a) the police, (b) the Fire Service and (c) the Ambulance Service in Scotland. [32747]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: Police and Fire Service computer systems in Scotland are a matter for individual authorities and joint boards. My officials are discussing with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) how best to ensure that councils can demonstrate that they are effectively addressing the Year 2000 problem. The Scottish Ambulance Service is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Scottish Health Service Year 2000 compliance activities. This will include reports on contingency plans.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he will establish in case of computer failure on 1 January 2000 in respect of the Scottish Office. [32746]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The Scottish Office is currently participating in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities described to the House on 3 March 1998, Official Report, columns 619–21 by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The reports include information on contingency planning.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of the East of Scotland Water Authority has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32743]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The East of Scotland Water Authority is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if pilot studies of computer millennium compliance in respect of each NHS trust in Scotland have been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32742]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: NHS Trusts are being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Scottish Health Service Year 2000 compliance activities.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of West of Scotland Water Authority has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32745]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The West of Scotland Water Authority is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activities by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the pilot study of computer millennium compliance in respect of North of Scotland Water Authority has been completed; what conclusions have been drawn; when millennium compliance will be achieved; at what cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [32744]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 3 March 1998]: The North of Scotland Water Authority is being asked by my Department to participate in the quarterly progress reporting of Year 2000 compliance activates by Scottish Non-Departmental Public bodies. These reports will be published on The Scottish Office Internet Web site commencing June 1998.

Back to