§ 52. Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Minister of Technology how many British-made computers, and to what total value, 33W have been ordered by Government Departments and other public authorities since October, 1964.
§ Mr. CousinsNineteen British computers at a total value of £4.5 million have been ordered by Government Departments including the G.P.O. since October, 1964. The figures for other public authorities are not at present available.
§ 53. Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Minister of Technology what advice Her Majesty's Government has given to Government Departments and other public authorities concerning the purchase of British-built computers in preference to imported computers where specifications are similar.
§ Mr. CousinsThe Government's policy is to support the development of the British computer industry, and purchases of computers by the Government will be made from British firms whenever reasonably possible. We are inviting other public authorities to take into account the desirability of supporting the British industry.
§ 60. Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Technology what share of the total output of the United Kingdom telecommunications and computer industries at the most recent convenient date was accounted for by central Government purchases, local authority purchases, and purchases by the nationalised industries, respectively.
§ Mr. CousinsPrecise figures are not available in the detail for which the hon. Member has asked. As regards the computer industry, it is estimated on the basis of unofficial data that purchases by Central Government (including the Universities), Local Authorities (including Hospital Boards) and Nationalised Industries accounted for 11 per cent., 6 per cent. and 5 per cent. respectively of the number of computers delivered in 1964. Purchases by the Post Office of telecommunications equipment amounted to 50 per cent. of output.