HC Deb 15 February 1966 vol 724 cc217-8W
96. Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contacts he has made with organisations in other countries investigating and developing computer technique for scientific and technical information storage, abstraction, and retrieval; and what plans he has to collaborate on joint development programmes.

Mr. Prentice

The Office for Scientific and Technical Information, which is within the Department of Education and Science, seeks to keep in close touch with organisations in other countries, and to encourage co-operation on development work. A current example is an experimental literature retrieval service based upon a system inaugurated by the United States National Library of Medicine in July, 1964.

97. Dr. Wyndham Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent either his Department or the computer centre administers the sponsorship of projects for developing techniques for scientific and technological information storage, abstraction, and retrieval.

Mr. Prentice

Sponsorship of such projects is a principal function of the Office of Scientific and Technical Information within the Department. For this, and other related activities, £180,000 was provided in the Estimate for the current financial year.