HC Deb 22 November 1966 vol 736 c1125
13. Mr. Hordern

asked the Minister of Technology what proposals he has for expanding the scale of the National Computing Centre; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Dell

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for the Isle of Ely (Sir H. Legge-Bourke) and Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) on 18th October.—[Vol. 734, c. 9–11.]

Mr. Hordern

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that his colleague Lord Snow, in another place earlier this year, when he was a member of the Ministry, forecast that there would be a requirement for 15,000 systems analysts by 1970? As there are only 5,000 today, does the hon. Gentleman mean that he has no proposals for the expansion of the National Computing Centre in view of this vast gap?

Mr. Dell

On the contrary, one important matter with which the National Computing Centre and the Government as a whole are concerned is the supply of systems analysts.