§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Technology if he will give an estimate of expenditure on the National Computing Centre for 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1967–68, showing separately capital and current expenditure.
§ Mr. MarshThere will be no substantial expenditure on the National Computing Centre in 1965–66.
The Civil Estimates for 1966–67 make provision for a grant in aid to the centre of £290,000, more than half of which is required towards the cost of the building for the centre.
The scale of grant required in later years will depend upon the rate of growth of the centre's activities.
§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Technology whether he will list the staff already engaged for the National Computing Centre, giving the salaries they are being paid and their previous experience in each case.
§ Mr. MarshI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 11th February. Particulars of the qualifications of the director-designate were given in the statement to the House on 7th December. His salary as director of the centre has not yet been determined.
§ Mr. Awdryasked the Minister of Technology whether all the functions of the National Computer Programme Centre will be carried out by the National Computing Centre.
§ Mr. MarshYes. The National Computing Centre was so called because it will carry out a wider range of functions than those at first proposed under the name of the National Computer Programme Centre.