Computers

HC Deb 11 July 1967 vol 750 cc399-401

16. Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will name the computer manufacturing companies with which he has discussed, and from which he has obtained, tenders for the construction of a third generation large computer; and whether he will give details of any contracts which have been placed by his department.

Mr. Benn

My Department has had discussions with several computer manufacturers about their plans for large machines. So far I have not invited tenders or placed contracts for such machines.

Mr. Lloyd

Would not the Minister agree that it is time that some accelerated effort was put into this project? Could he give the House some idea of what is in the Government's mind on the technical configuration of this computer? Is it to be a scientific machine, a commercial machine or possibly a machine orientated to the Government's own data processing services?

Mr. Benn

A great deal of work is going on on this problem, although it is not absolutely clear whether the phrase "third generation computers" refers to the present generation, integrated circuit computers or the next generation after that. But in view of the discussions going on with the firms, I would rather not say more about that, although we shall be making further statements about this before very long.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are existing computers which will be satisfactory in implementing the Post Office (Data Processing Service) Bill? In dealing with the third generation of micro circuits, what acceleration is the right hon. Gentleman giving to the programme to make the idea behind that Bill operative and make them function properly?

Mr. Benn

As I was involved with that Bill before I transferred to my present Department, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that that point was very carefully looked at.

22. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that the need for a universal general purpose computer language capable of handling both scientific and commercial programming has been established; and what measures his Department will take to ensure its proper development.

Mr. Benn

Contracts are being negotiated with computer companies for a study, jointly with the National Physical Laboratory, of this matter.

Mr. Price

In dealing with this problem, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the need not only to try to get common standards in this country, but to try to get them on an international basis? This will be essential both for our export effort and for making general sense to the users of computers.

Mr. Benn

I am grateful to the hon. Member for saying that. I wholly support it. International standards in these and other matters are essential if we are to make the most of technology, particularly in this direction, where a cybernetic Tower of Babel would be the least justified of all.