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Dept for Education and Employment

Answer

Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60075] Mr. Mudie: [holding answer 17 November 1998]: The Department has a large number of business processes. Each is being identified and assessed as part of the Year 2000 programme. Outline contingency plans for key services will be completed by January 1999. DfEE's Year 2000 Programme Board has also recently considered a Millennium Operating Regime which will form part of the overall contingency planning arrangements. This approach focuses particular attention on those risks which could impact directly on the services provided to members of the public. In my Department, these are provided by the Employment Service. The Department has also completed an initial assessment of the state of preparedness of our many partner organisations in the wider eduction and employment sector. The risks in this wider sector are currently being identified and assessed. Some of our partner organisations have already developed contingency plans to minimise the threat of disruption. Where appropriate, other partner organisations will be encouraged to do likewise.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

319 c642W; 60075

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Computers Executive agencies Government departments Millennium compliance Non-departmental public bodies Department for Education and Employment Taskforce 2000