Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will institute an inquiry into the social problems arising from the increase in the use of computers, in view of the effect that advanced computer operations are having on current employment levels.
§ Mr. FernyhoughThe Manpower Research Unit in my Department is currently making a survey of the effect of computers on office manpower. This is the second survey the Manpower Research Unit has undertaken on the subject, the earlier one being made in 1964–65. The present study, like its predecessor, will have especial regard to the social and human effects of installing computers in offices.