Doc. 8141
15 June 1997

Millenium-compliance of computer systems

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Atkinson and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1. The Assembly recalls its Recommendation 1332 (1997) on the scientific and technical aspects of the new information and communications technologies and stresses the importance of these technologies in almost all areas of society.

2. In the early days of the computers era, when the end of the millennium was not in sight, the method for representing years in computer memories was by two digits only. For example, the year 1964 was represented as « 64 ». The consequence is that many computer systems will assume the year 2000 to be 1900.

3. This problem, called “ the millennium bug “, “ the millennium time bomb”, “ Y2K “ or “Year 2000 “, will certainly cause disorders in all computers containing microchips built on the above principle. Computers controlling financial institutions, air traffic, social security, state defence systems or satellites will be affected and with unpredictable consequences.

4. As an example, a 5 minute telephone call placed at midnight 31 December 1999 could cost the same as a 100 years phone call. Pension payments could stop because the computer, subtracting a date of birth from what it calculates as the current year, could conclude that a 70 year old person is actually 30 years from being born and so does not require a cheque. Computers controlling air traffic may not recognise a plane in flight, in the belief that it had not yet taken off. credit cards may not be recognised as valid, and the whole banking system may be blocked.

5. Considering the importance of the « Year 2000 » problem, the Assembly calls on member governments, as well as on the European Union :

i.       to ensure that their own information systems are « Year 2000 » compliant;

ii.       to increase corporate and public awareness of the problem;

iii.       to assist individuals and enterprises wishing to make their information systems « Year 2000 » compliant.

Signed : ¹

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Brunhart, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

Cunliffe, United Kingdom, SOC

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Fernandez Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD

Frey, Switzerland, LDR

Guirado, Spain, SOC

Lengagne, France, SOC

Lenzer, Germany, EPP/CD

Newall, United Kingdom, EDG

Olrich, Iceland, EDG

Rigo, Italy, NR

Sainz Garcia, Spain, EPP/CD

Speroni, Italy, NR

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Weyts, Belgium, EPP/CD

Yürür, Turkey, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group