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To: goldsnow who wrote (22595)	11/5/1998 5:37:00 AM
From: Alex	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 116764

Ministers Fear Millennium Chaos any old excuse for martial law PRIVATE government fears that the Millennium bug could create widespread civil emergencies by disrupting key services such as electricity and telecommunications have been revealed for the first time in a confidential Cabinet memo. The possibility of calling in troops to help communities that lose power and essential utilities as a result of computer malfunction at the beginning of 2000 is also suggested in the leaked letter. Donald Dewar, the Scottish Secretary, writing eight weeks ago to George Robertson, the Defence Secretary, raised the prospect as part of his campaign to resist severe cuts in Scotland's Territorial Army. Mr Dewar argued that this could not come at a worse time because the cuts, from 7,000 to 4,000, could severely hamper Scotland's ability to cope with a serious civil emergency. He wrote: "This could well leave the Government open to criticism over a reduction of emergency preparedness at a time when Millennium bug problems pose a potential threat to key services such as electricity and telecommunications and when, therefore, emergency preparedness should if anything be enhanced." Mr Dewar's comments caused an immediate controversy, with opposition parties and technology experts saying that they revealed a far more worrying state of affairs than ministers had previously conceded. The memo was leaked to the Scottish National Party, whose leader, Alex Salmond, yesterday demanded an emergency Commons statement on Mr Dewar's fears for vital services. Robin Guenier, former head of the Government's Action 2000 unit, said Mr Dewar's letter was the first time private Cabinet concerns had become public. He criticised ministers for trying to play down the risks posed by the bug. He said: "There is a problem in the Cabinet. The view among some in government is that we should try to keep some of these fears under wraps in case people panic." Yesterday, Mr Guenier met Margaret Beckett, who chairs the Cabinet committee on the bug, to emphasise the need for the Government to do more. Tories also echoed the concerns, demanding urgent answers from Peter Mandelson, the Trade and Industry Secretary. John Redwood, the Tory spokesman, tabled a series of parliamentary questions to Mr Mandelson asking about the readiness of all major public services for 2000. He said: "Labour has previously assured us that they were in control of the Millennium bug problem. Fears are now growing that this is no longer the case. The Government must provide answers to these key questions that potentially affect the livelihood and security of everyone in Britain." Whitehall sources said yesterday that there had now been numerous meetings among ministers about the situation. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that it had been talking to departments and agencies about the use of troops in emergencies. British Telecom has committed £350 million to upgrading all its systems in time for the date change. Yesterday the Electricity Association, which represents the industry, said it had "moved on to the final stages of work" and remained committed to ensuring no material disruption. The threat to services springs from a fault in many computers which are not able to recognise the date change to 2000 and will simply shut down. Mr Guenier, who now heads the Taskforce 2000 pressure group, said he had urged Mrs Beckett to ensure more transparency about the problem, especially in vital public utilities where it was still not clear how prepared they were. He added that up to nine departments and agencies were seriously under-prepared. He said: "I think Mr Dewar might be reflecting what people are saying privately. It would be the first time I have heard that particular point." Last night the Government tried to play down the row. Downing Street said preparations were "well advanced". A spokesman said: "We are doing everything we can to ensure essential services are not threatened. The utilities regard the risk of disruption as minor." Helen Liddell, Scottish minister, accused the SNP of creating "hysterical hype". The London Telegraph, Nov. 5, 1998