§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure that local authorities are prepared in respect of the millennium bug. [60437]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe attach the highest importance to all councils being properly prepared to deal with the millennium bug. To pursue this we are working closely with the Local Government Association, the Local Government Management Board and the Audit Commission. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has, jointly with Sir Jeremy Beecham, Chairman of the Local Government Association, written twice this year to each council leader stressing the importance of their taking action. Council leaders have been asked specifically to sign Pledge 2000 and to nominate a senior member to take public responsibility for seeing that action on the Millennium Bug issue is driven forward throughout their local authority.