Y2K bug risk to 999 services

Concern over lack of guarantees against significant disruption

The public should be told whether key services are prepared to cope with the millennium bug, according to a committee of MPs.

A report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee expresses concern that despite efforts to make computers year 2000-compliant, some services may still be at risk.

There is particular concern that some police forces and fire brigades have not made as much progress in tackling the bug as they could have.

The committee also believe the public should be told about key service providers where there is still a risk of "material disruption".

The committee's chairman, David Davis, said: "The nation has undertaken a significant and costly programme of work to eradicate the millennium bug.

"But, with only four months to go, it is a matter of concern that there is still much to be done to minimise the risks of material disruption to key services."

The committee said it was essential that the public know how local services are coping to either build confidence or put pressure on lagging services.

The committee noted that although there had been a programme to eliminate any disruption, there were no guarantees that there would not be significant disruption.

The group of all-party MPs were disappointed at the "continued slippage in central government bodies, both in achieving millennium compliance and in preparing rigorous business continuity plans".

The report noted that most central government bodies had been working on the millennium problem for at least two years and action should have been taken to halt slippage at an earlier stage.

There was also concern about contingency plans.

Mr Davies said: "It is also unsatisfactory that, in some areas, effective emergency plans have not been finalised.

"Such plans must be put in place well in advance and must take into account the possibility that winter weather or illness may affect key individuals dealing with situations caused by the millennium bug, and must also allow for the unique demands that might be put on public services as a result of the millennium itself."

The report noted that there were seven bodies - including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Inland Revenue National Contributions Agency - which were not expected to achieve compliance for critical systems until the last quarter of this year.

It also expressed concern that the Foreign Office had yet to make a reliable assessment of the overseas position.

The report said: "Millennium-related failures abroad could also impact on businesses and people who travel."

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), August 26, 1999