§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has held with NATO nations on the impact of the Year 2000 problem on interchange of defence-related electronic information and on equipment that is in common service; if interconnections between NATO nations are Year 2000 compliant; and if Year 2000 tests are included in multinational military exercises conducted with(a) NATO and (b) other nations. [68255]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The need for close examination of the inter-connections between NATO nations was highlighted at the Allied Year 2000 Steering Group, hosted by the MOD in November 1998. The question of the Y2K compliance of inter-connections between NATO nations is currently being examined by the NATO Command, Control and Communications board.
The UK is planning its exercise programme to enable Y2K validation to be tested in many areas. Action is also in hand to include Y2K elements in combined exercises with US forces. Discussions with our Allies on other international exercises are continuing.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's critical systems will be Year 2000 compliant by 1 April. [68261]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1999]: Current progress indicates that around 75 per cent. of MOD's critical systems will be Year 2000 compliant by 1 April 1999.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department is collaborating with the Russian Ministry for Defence on assessing and rectifying systems affected by the Year 2000 computer problem. [68256]
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§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1999]: We recognise the benefit of co-operation with Russia on the Year 2000 problem and we have taken every opportunity to brief visiting delegations. MOD officials have recently taken part in discussions with Russia on the problem under the auspices of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council. The issue will continue to be discussed as a priority agenda item within that forum throughout the year.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the testing of all Year 2000 modified systems for which he is responsible was completed by 31 January. [68258]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The latest figures show that 60 per cent. of those MOD systems critical to providing defence capability, and which needed modification to make them Year 2000 compliant, had been modified and tested by the end of December 1998. Current prospects are that work on all such systems will be complete in good time to ensure that UK defence capability is maintained across the Millennium period and thereafter. Dealing with the Year 2000 problem is the MOD's highest priority, other than urgent operational needs.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has developed to support the civil community in case of emergencies associated with Year 2000. [68259]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1999]: Long-standing arrangements exist under which civil authorities can request military assistance in the event of a civil emergency. The extent to which military assistance may be required as a result of Year 2000 problems depends on any identified shortfalls in the ability of the civil authorities to respond to emergencies.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if systems for(a) service members' pay and (b) service members' medical records are Year 2000 compliant; and if he will make a statement. [68257]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1999]: A comprehensive programme of work is in place to ensure that all MOD systems, including those delivering a pay for Service and civilian personnel are Year 2000 compliant, and is on target for completion this year. This year Service pay records are archived to microfiche, for which Year 2000 compliance is not applicable.
As medical records of Service personnel are paper based, Year 2000 compliance is not applicable.