§ 3. Lieut.-Commander Maydonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many electronic computers are now in use in Government Departments; whether more of these machines are to be installed in the current financial year; and if he will give an estimate of man hours saved or staff reduced consequent upon their use.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. J. Enoch Powell)Ten electronic computers are in use in Government Departments on mathematical or scientific work. Five machines are due to be installed during the current financial year, of which three will be for work of a clerical or statistical nature. No estimate of staff savings consequent upon their use can be given until further operating experience is available.
§ Lieut.-Commander MaydonCan my hon. Friend tell me what measures are taken to ensure that the use of this expensive equipment is co-ordinated between Departments so as not to have unnecessary duplication?
§ Mr. PowellGreat care is taken before these machines are installed on preparatory work to ensure that the maximum benefit is derived from them.
Mr. J. T. PriceWhilst everyone welcomes the scientific developments which will ease the drudgery of clerical work, will the Minister and his colleagues take every precaution against the use of these machines for compiling vast amounts of useless statistics about things not of general utility?