Atkinson:Trying to make companies plan ahead

Tory MP Proposes Bill To Tackle "Millennium Bug"

The problem is predicted to cause chaos in all kinds of computer-managed systems because their software will not recognise the date 2000. This will mean that as the new century dawns, all calculations, logic and date-driven processes will fail to function properly.

"There could be dire consequences for the automatic payment of benefits and pensions, the maintenance of police and court records, for businesses which rely on computers, and for financial institutions such as banks, insurance and the stock market," said Mr Atkinson.

Sleep walking into disaster

Mr Atkinson went on: "The Millennium Bug is predicted to cause chaos, beginning in New Zealand, where the new century dawns first, then advancing like a wave westwards across the world, wrecking businesses and paralysing whole societies in its wake."

Computers: chaos ahead?

"My Bill offers the only realistic opportunity to ensure that this country will avoid much of the incalculable chaos and catastrophe that is being predicted if not enough is done," Mr Atkinson explained.

Mr Atkinson, MP for Bournemouth East, said his Bill would require companies to conduct an audit or an assessment of the capacity of their computer systems to deal with calendar dates after the millennium.

He tried to legislate in the last Parliament but his efforts were thwarted by the dissolution of parliament for the General Election.