Written question asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 19 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 January 1998. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Monday, 26 January 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 guidelines he has issued to local authorities (a) on dealing with computer systems which are not millennium compliant and (b) on budgeting for the costs of remedying computer systems which are not millennium compliant. (No figures given).

Answer: Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines he has issued to local authorities (a) on dealing with computer systems which are not millennium compliant and (b) on budgeting for the costs of remedying computer systems which are not millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [24704] Mr. Raynsford: Local authorities are responsible for their own systems and have access to high quality advice on this issue from the Local Government Management Board, the professional body of local government IT officers (SOCTIM) and other professional bodies. My officials have also kept the Local Government Association (LGA) informed on the steps being taken by central government. In addition, the Government have published best practice guidance on millennium compliance. The LGA's views on the pressures faced by all local authorities were taken into account in our proposals for local government revenue expenditure in 1998-99.

Secondary information