Letter: Millennium bug

LETTER: Millennium bug

AS YOU note, the European Commission is advocating accelerated action on tackling the millennium bug (report, 27 February). This is a view with which I wholeheartedly agree and I am stepping up Europe-wide action to tackle the bug.

The Government promised to use its presidency of the EU to drive forward action on this issue. In the EU telecoms council in Brussels on 26 February, which I chaired, I announced that the UK will hold a major EU conference in May to address the problems caused by the bug. We will encourage all member states to set up national campaigns, as the UK has done with Action 2000. This will also be an excellent opportunity to share best practice and experience across the whole of the EU.

As so much business activity is international, we must do all we can at this level to ensure that our businesses are not unduly affected.

BARBARA ROCHE

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Department of Trade and Industry

London SW1