§ 10. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Technology how many computers were in use in Great Britain in 1958, 1962 and 1966; and how many he estimates will be in use by 1970.
§ Dr. BrayThe numbes of computers of all kinds, other than computers used for defence purposes, in use in the United Kingdom at the end of 1958, 1962 and 1966 were approximately 70,420 and 2,200 respectively. I estimate that by the beginning of 1970 the corresponding figure will be more than 5,000.
§ Mr. RobertsWould my hon. Friend agree that there are two problems here—getting firms to acquire the computers and then teaching them what to do with them? What steps is his Ministry considering in terms of further education of firms in computer feasibility?
§ Dr. BrayI agree with my hon. Friend that there are two problems, although I 775 would put the second first, and we are discussing with various kinds of computer users how to develop further the work of the National Computing Centre and in other ways to encourage the efficient use of computers.
§ Mr. David PriceIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the figure which he quoted of the Government's estimate of 5,000 computers in use by 1970 is a considerable increase on the figure quoted in the Department of Education and Science publication on our manpower needs and the educational needs of computer technology? Does it follow—this also followed from the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts)—that the Government will increase their aims in computer education?
§ Dr. BrayThe estimate to which the hon. Gentleman referred was made some time ago. The work on computer education is being examined by a working party set up by, among others, the National Computing Centre. We certainly have the matter under close review.