Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 February 1998. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 February 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to ensure that local authorities prepare contingency plans for the provision of services to vulnerable groups in the event of the failure of computer systems to be millennium compliant.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that local authorities prepare contingency plans for the provision of services to vulnerable groups in the event of the failure of computer systems to be millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [28237] Angela Eagle: Each local authority is responsible for ensuring its own millennium compliance. Authorities have access to high quality advice on this issue through the Local Government Management Board, the professional body of local government IT officers (SOCTIM) and other professional bodies. During the course of their last annual audit programmes authorities' external auditors were advised by the Audit Commission to evaluate the plans authorities had in place to identify the extent of the year 2000 problem and for any necessary remedial action.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 28237; 306 c118W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Software Local government Millennium compliance Local Government Management Board