§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Council 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. [93575]
§ Mrs. BeckettThe Privy Council Office (PCO) computer systems are part of the Cabinet Office network, which is millennium compliant. These systems are encompassed in the Cabinet Office returns.
PCO's own computer and other electronic hardware have been tested and are compliant. PCO has recently relocated to new premises, which have also been tested and are compliant. There has been no slippage in PCO's millennium bug programme.
PCO does not provide services to the general public.
PCO is in the process of finalising its business continuity plan and millennium operating regime and will be bound by the targets I set other Departments and Agencies of having robust and tested plans in place by the end of October.