I propose to take Questions Nos. 540, 541 and 544 to 546, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to the comprehensive answer which I gave to Question No. 368 put down by him on 15 December 1998.
I am satisfied that both my Department and the associated offices-agencies under the aegis of my Department have a detailed programme of work in place to prepare for year 2000 compliance and that every effort is being made to ensure that compliance is achieved.
A year 2000 monitoring committee is in place to monitor and report on progress in this regard. Relevant divisions of my Department and each of the agencies-offices under my Department's aegis are represented on the monitoring committee.
At present, a total of 44 staff are engaged in year 2000 work in my Department.