§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what latest estimate he has made of the total cost of resolving the year 2000 computer problem in all defence-related areas; how much has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement. [79805]
§ Mr. SpellarThe projected additional cost of the MoD Year 2000 date change compliancy programme remains at £200m. Actual expenditure by MoD's top-level Budget Holders at the end of February 1999 was £48.5m. These figures include the cost of all activities to address the problem which we would not otherwise have needed to undertake. However, they exclude the cost of any equipment procurements or upgrades which were already planned and funded to meet a requirement of operational or business reasons, but which also address the Y2K issue. They also exclude the cost of internal MOD staff effort to ensure that our systems are compliant.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions are being taken by Her Majesty's armed forces over the period 30 December 1999 to 5 January 2000 to ensure defence capability is not damaged by the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [79806]
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§ Mr. SpellarThe MoD has had a technical programme in place since 1996 to scope and address the problem of computer system compliancy with the Year 2000 date change. This programme is progressing well, with over 60 per cent. of MoD's critical systems now compliant. In addition, comprehensive contingency plans are being developed against the possibility of unexpected failure of MoD systems, or the failure of other non-MoD systems on which we rely, such as the public utilities. These plans seek to ensure the continuity of military operations and the requisite levels of defence capability throughout the period 1 September 1999 to 31 March 2000. There are also well-established procedures for crisis management on a 24-hour basis, which will apply throughout this period.