§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 16 March, Official Report, c.71, and 19 April, c. 19, regarding computers currently in use in Government Departments, if she will institute an investigation into (a) the overall cost of computerisation, (b) the extent to which the introduction of computerisation has failed to achieve the manpower savings envisaged and (c) the reasons why there has been a substantial increase in staff despite the extent of computer installation.
§ The Prime MinisterStaff numbers in Government Departments have been reduced by 9 per cent. since this Government took office. I am considering what information should be provided on the costs and savings of computerisation.