§ 8. Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Technology what is the anticipated public investment in the computer industry in the coming year; and what plans he has to ensure adequate supervision of such spending.
§ Mr. CousinsThe National Research Development Corporation is making available funds in support of programmes and projects of research and development by various firms in the industry. The Corporation makes its own arrangements for the scrutiny and assessment of programmes and for the control of expenditure. My Department will continue to give support to the industry through cost sharing contracts under the Advanced Computer Techniques Programme, involving additional commitments by the Government of the order of half a million pounds in 1956–66 and through contracts with universities for industry-orientated research also to a value of half a million pounds.
§ 12. Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Technology what discussions he has had regarding the use of computers in local government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CousinsI have arranged with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland to bring my Computer Advisory Service to the notice of local authorities, a number of whom have already consulted the Service. My Department has also been in touch with the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants and other relevant professional bodies about computer matters.
§ 26. Miss Harvie Andersonasked the Minister of Technology if he will explain the reasons for the administrative separation of the Computer Advisory Service from the Computers Division; and whether he intends to continue this arrangement.
§ Mr. MarshMy right hon. Friend has followed the practice of many other Government Departments which have46W functions requiring the services of professional and technical staff of assigning responsibility for the administrative and financial aspects of the Department's work on computers to an Under-Secretary and those requiring specialist knowledge to the Head of the Computer Advisory Service who is an engineer. The relevant branches of the Secretariat and the Controller's organisation, work in close co-operation at all levels and the related staffs are housed near to each other. My right hon. Friend will keep this arrangement under review.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Technology how many computers of United Kingdom and of United States manufacture, shown separately, are on order for installation in Government Departments and nationalised industries, respectively.
§ Mr. CousinsTwenty-three British and six American for Government Departments, including the G.P.O. The figures for nationalised industries are not at present available.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Technology how many computers of United States manufacture are in use in Government Departments and nationalised industries, respectively.
§ Mr. CousinsTwelve computers of United States design and foreign manufacture are in use in Government Departments and 58 in the nationalised industries. Not all of these computers were manufactured in the United States.
§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Technology how many computers of United Kingdom manufacture are in use in Government Departments and nationalised industries, respectively.
§ Mr. CousinsEighty computers of United Kingdom manufacture are in use in Government Departments and 66 in the nationalised industries. Not all of these computers are of British design.