To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his assessment on the effect of the delivery of NHS services over the next two years of the need to divert moneys from within his budget to deal with the millennium computer compliance problem in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [13250]

The likely cost to the National Health Service of ensuring that systems are millennium compliant is difficult to forecast accurately. Guidance has recently been issued to chief executives outlining the action they are expected to take to deal with the millennium problem. Much of the work required is likely to be funded from budgets already allocated to supporting NHS information management and technology needs.