From the BBC:

http://news2.thdo.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk%5Fpolitics/newsid%5F325000/325191.stm

Wednesday, April 21, 1999, Published at 17:12 GMT 18:12 UK

Y2K bug 'may hit public services'

Some areas of the NHS could be mildly affected

Areas of the NHS, the police service and the fire service may be affected by the year 2000 computer bug, according to a government-backed study.

Representatives from all three bodies say the problems are not thought to be serious and are being tackled as a matter of urgency.

Action 2000, a government-sponsored group, has drawn up a "traffic light" style scheme to illustrate the readiness of public bodies to deal with the millennium bug, which leaves computer systems unable to recognise the year 2000.

A "white" symbol will alert the public that systems that are yet to be checked.

"Blue" shows they have been checked and show no risks of causing problems at the millennium.

An "amber" rating means some risk has been identified, but plans are in place to fix it.

And "red" means there is a risk - and it may not be possible to update the affected systems before 2000.

[Ed's note: You'll have to go to the site to see the table of emergency and other services.]

The figures released on Wednesday show "red" marks given to parts of the NHS, the national police service and the fire service.

Keith Phillips, of HM Inspectorate of Fire Services, said all fire brigades had emergency contingency plans in place as a matter of routine, as they must be expected to function "in any circumstances".

He said: "The millennium, and any disruption caused by the bug, is no different.

"Operationally, the fire service will continue to function effectively."

For the police David Gilbertson, of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, said that out of 43 police forces in England and Wales, 22 have been independently inspected, and 18 given amber status, while four only deserved red status.

He said: "All the red forces were written to immediately and asked to submit an action plan as soon as possible, and they will all be inspected again before the end of June."

'Name and shame'

Chairman of Action 2000 Don Cruickshank said no individual organisations in any category could be named yet.

But he said: "If some are still not making progress, and are still red by the time of the meeting of this forum in July, I shall be pressing at the highest level to have them named publicly.

"Simply achieving blue status is not enough. All companies and organisations must continue to make detailed contingency plans anyway."

He added: "The presence of a small number of reds should not distract from the overall picture. The vast majority is in the amber category, which gives me increasing confidence that there will be no material disruption over the millennium holiday."

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), April 29, 1999

Answers

Is this sorta like "local disruptions" so nothing to worry about. Unless you are the local????

Got Band aides?Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), April 29, 1999.