§ 3. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken in his support for the British computer industry to co-ordinate the work of librarians and those concerned with the collection, dissemination, storage and retrieval of scientific and technological information with those who design and construct computers.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Dr. Jeremy Bray)The Department is in touch with the computer manufacturers and, in close co-operation with O.S.T.I., with many other interests inside and outside Government, who are concerned with information storage and retrieval.
§ Mr. OsbornCannot Great Britain take a lead in this new data storage revolution ranging from the House of Commons experiment to the computerisation of the Statute Book, and is it not the case that 481 the computers for this purpose need not necessarily be number crushers but may to disc storage machines? Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that initiative is taken to bring together the brains that are working on these things? As he is responsible in this respect, will he take the initiative?
§ Dr. BrayYes, Sir. We are in fairly constant discussion with potential users and also publishing firms as well as computer firms, which are having very active discussions with each other and ourselves.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that this matter is very closely related to the general pressure that is building up for an effective national scientific reference library in which the British computer industry has a very large part to play? Are we any nearer now towards resolving the dichotomy between the Department of Education and Science on the one hand and the hon. Gentleman's Department on the other?
§ Dr. BrayBoth Departments have an interest in this field. Obviously, in working together we have to keep in close touch with each other. We are well aware of the work of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee in this matter, and are in touch with hon. Members about it