HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc527-8W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of her Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93566]

Marjorie Mowlam

Details of the Cabinet Office, its Agencies and associated public bodies—for which I am responsible—progress in tackling the bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These show that work on all business critical systems, embedded chips and telecommunications systems is now complete. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

There has been a slight slippage in ensuring the compliance of a few non-business critical applications and embedded systems. This work had been scheduled for

Underground and (b) London Buses have been met in the last two years. [91528]

Mr. Hill

[pursuant to the reply, 27 July 1999, c. 358-59]: The following table shows the performance and targets of both London Underground and London Buses.

completion by the end of September. Some of this has now been completed and contingency arrangements have been invoked to ensure compliance of all systems by the end of October.

In line with CCTA guidance, all areas including No. 10 will have Business Continuity Plans and Millennium Operating Regimes in place and tested by the end of October.