§ Mr. Brooksasked the Postmaster-General what proposals he has for the establishment of a National Computing Grid, based upon multi-access computing, 529W to assist in the rational planning of the British economy.
§ Mr. Edward ShortA national computer grid is one of the aims of the National Data Processing Service which I am now setting up. The basis of the grid will be the 20 large modern computers which my Department expects to have for its own purposes by 1971, augmented by other computers as demand may require. Multi-access facilities will be available on many of these computers.
The Post Office's data transmission facilities are already in extensive use and are being increased in scope. Existing facilities permit connection to multi-access computers either over the public network or by means of specially rented circuits.
I believe that the increasing use of these facilities will contribute materially to business efficiency generally.