To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason no external assessment has been made of the plans of his Department for millennium compliance. [78462]

An external assessment of my Department's Year 2000 programme began earlier this month, to complement an internal assessment recently completed. DBI Associates were awarded a contract to carry out this independent assessment, following a competitive tender exercise. This comprehensive assessment will examine the Year 2000 work carried out within the main Home Office, its executive agencies and the Police Information Technology Organisation, concentrating on business critical processes and business continuity planning. A final report is expected in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason no (a) internal and (b) external assessment has been made of the United Kingdom Passport Agency's plans for millennium compliance; and if he will make a statement. [78468]

The Passport Agency's plans for millennium compliance are being assessed by independent technical consultants appointed by the Home Office.The agency's audit needs are assessed every three years and are currently under review. Audit plans will include millennium compliance but will take into account the work of the independent consultants (DBI Associates Ltd.).