To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contingency planning is being made in the event of failure of (a) Government services and (b) business arising from the year 2000 computer problem. [18025]

(a) I have asked Ministerial colleagues to ensure that their Departments have contingency plans in place to cope with major systems failures, and that these are adequate to deal with any unforeseen Year 2000 processing problems.(b) Mr. Don Cruickshank, Chairman of Action 2000, the new Government initiative set up to help business tackle the problem, will encourage businesses to undertake their own contingency planning.