§ 7. Mr. Farey-Jonesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what use is made of the National Physical Laboratory's electronic digital calculators in the public service; and what revenue is earned from work done for outside bodies.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe National Physical Laboratory's electronic digital computer, the "DEUCE ", in addition to its use on the research programme of the National Physical Laboratory and other D. S. I. R. stations, provides a service for other Government Departments, including the Admiralty and the Ordnance Survey. In addition it has been used for work for the Atomic Energy Authority, for private industry and for universities; the revenue earned from these bodies amounted to £17,700 in the financial year 1955–56 and £9,500 in the year 1956–57.
§ Mr. Farey-JonesCould my hon. Friend say whether the all-in revenue 191 represents any diminution in the service? Surely, he appreciates that such machines should be kept constantly occupied?
§ Mr. NichollsYes, we do, indeed, appreciate the need to see that they are fully used, and I think that the reason why the service has fallen off over the last twelve months is that our erstwhile customers have purchased digital computers of their own. I suppose that that is really a compliment to "DEUCE" and its predecessor, "ACE".