§ 18. Dr. Brayasked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken to rationalise the ordering and programming of computers by local authorities.
§ Mr. CousinsI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made yesterday in which I said that the advice of a new Computer Advisory Unit will be available to local authorities. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is writing to local authorities encouraging them to consult the Unit.
§ 23. Dr. Brayasked the Minister of Technology what access he has to the computer Technical Support Unit previously attached to the Treasury; and what steps he is taking to secure the full exploitation of computer methods in Government Departments.
§ Mr. CousinsAs I said in my statement to the House yesterday, the computer Technical Support Unit will be transferred from the Treasury to my Department. In answer to the second 199W part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the figures quoted by my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 23rd February which indicate the increasing of use of computers by Government Departments.
§ 40. Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Technology whether he will publish a list of Government purchases of United States electronic equipment and computers for which contracts are being negotiated.
§ Mr. CousinsA number of proposals for the purchase or hire of American computers have been received and are being studied. I will send the hon. Member particulars of any of these cases in which a contract is placed with an American firm. As regards American electronic equipment, a wide range of items is involved and it may be difficult to obtain the information for which the hon. Member asks.
§ 43. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for sponsoring technological advance in the computer industry by direct public investment.
§ Mr. CousinsI have nothing at present to add to my statement yesterday.