§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in(a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60064]
(2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60066]
§ Ms HewittI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. This included the Bank of England. The information requested can be found in the copies of Departments' plans which are available in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library and on the Internet.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by(a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60067]
§ Ms HewittBusiness contingency work is under way in all the Chancellor's Departments and agencies. Existing contingency plans are being reviewed to ensure they cover all the risks the Millennium may bring. This includes embedded chip systems.
554WPlans include:
- manual workarounds;
- ensuring key staff are available in the changeover period;
- identifying the affect of possible increased demands on business in the period prior to 1 January 2000;
- reducing the pressure on normal business processes;
- backing up key data;
The Chancellor's Departments comprise:
- HM Treasury (and Debt Management Office)
- Inland Revenue (and Valuation Office)
- HM Customs and Excise
- Office for National Statistics
- Royal Mint
- National Savings
- National Investment and Loans Office
- Government Actuary's Department
- Registry of Friendly Societies.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (1) estimate he has made of the effect of the millennium bug on the rate of economic growth; [60168]
(2) if the growth forecasts contained in his Pre-Budget Report take account of the effects of the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement. [60169]
§ Ms HewittThe effect of the Millennium bug on the rate of economic growth is considered in the Pre-Budget Report, paragraph A56 and box A2 ("Impact of the 'Year 2000' problem").