The UK government plans to put the army on standby to cope with any failures in power generation and telecommunications as a result of Year 2000 problems from computers controlling those industries. Leaked memos from government ministers show they are planning to call in troops to save stricken communications networks from chaos if the lights go out and telephones stop ringing on January 1, 2000. The revelations are an embarrassment to the government because it has maintained in public that the vast publicity it has given to the issue should ensure there are no problems. Only one potential difficulty remains. The army itself is engaged in preparations to ensure its own systems are Year 2000 compliant and unless it finishes the work on time, it may be in no position to help anyone.
