§ 11. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the average hours per week for which ICL 1905 Government computers are utilised.
§ Mrs. HartThere are three ICL 1905 E computers in central Government, one for processing traffic tickets for the Metropolitan Police, another for operational research work within the Ministry of Defence, and a third for scientific work at the Ministry of Public Building and Works Building Research Station. The current average weekly hours of operation are 50, 40 and 48 hours respectively, with target operating hours of 100, 80 and 80 to be achieved by November, December and March of next year, respectively.
§ Mr. AllasonIs the right hon. Lady aware that many commercial firms operate their computers on the basis of three or four shifts? As the Minister's target amounts to double-shift working, is not this a grave waste of the use of computers?
§ Mrs. HartThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that it necessarily takes time to build up the full operating use of computers. The initial hours of operation, and the target operation hours, will fall to be reconsidered and extended as it becomes possible, and as the demand for the use of the computers increases.