HC Deb 10 November 1999 vol 337 cc602-3W
Mr. Edward Davey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what reports he has received from Railtrack plc as regards their preparation for the year 2000 and the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement; [97272]

(2) what reports the railway industry has submitted to him on end-to-end validation of its computer systems for the year 2000; and if he will place copies of such reports in the Library; [97301]

(3) if Railtrack has reported to him on the completion of its end-to-end validation of its computer systems in respect of the year 2000 millennium bug; and if he will make a statement. [97300]

Mr. Hill

The railway industry, led by Railtrack, has for more than two years been undertaking a systematic programme of work aimed at ensuring the Year 2000 compliance of all systems needed for safety and business continuity.

Millennium bug readiness in the railway industry, including Railtrack, has been independently assessed by the Health and Safety Executive's HM Railway Inspectorate in respect of safety critical systems, and by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) in respect of business continuity systems.

ORR has received regular reports from both Railtrack and the industry body, the Rail Millennium Programme Office (RMPO), on the compliance status of the industry. These reports cover the status of all elements of the compliance programme including cross-industry systems, supplier certification statements, and the remediation programme.

Industry desk-top exercises have been conducted between Railtrack, train operators, London Underground and the British Transport Police to test working arrangements for the Millennium night whilst Railtrack have conducted Business Confidence Demonstrations to test the "rollover" of systems. ORR has attended as observer at selected desk-top exercises and is being advised on the outcome of the Business Confidence Demonstrations.

My Department receives regular reports on progress made by the railway industry towards millennium compliance and the position is reported by ORR at meetings of the National Infrastructure Forum, organised by Action 2000. At the National Infrastructure Forum on 20-21 October the overall assessment of rail safety critical systems and business continuity systems was 100 per cent. "blue" i.e. indicating that the assessment has identified no risk of material disruption. A copy of the ORR report has been placed in the Library of the House.