§ 4. Mr. Lagdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the 749 Council, what research is being carried out on the application of modern electronic computing techniques to the steel industry.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)The British Iron and Steel Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has successfully demonstrated several ways in which electronic computors can be used profitably in steelworks for production control. Examples are to be found in the organization of furnace repairs and in the calculation of the burden of blast furnaces. Interested member companies are investigating, jointly with the Association, the applications of these methods.
§ Mr. LagdenMay I thank my hon. Friend for that most gratifying reply, which will show the interest the Department is taking in this matter? Is research into the allied subject of automation also being undertaken?
§ Mr. NichollsYes, Sir. In that subject also the British Iron and Steel Association has had a number of successes. One which typifies what is being done is a device for the automatic control of strip gauge which results in a saving of rolled steel, at a time when that is of very great importance to industry.