§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the details of the rate of spending for new off-line digital computer hardware for universities and research councils for the five years 1968–72 in the light of the Flowers Committee recommendations for a five-year rolling programme.
§ Mr. Gordon Walker:Estimated expenditure in 1968–69 on university computers purchased on the advice of the Computer Board is £3.86 million. Most of this sum will be spent on new digital hardware. The Board keeps the developing needs of the universities under review.
Expenditure on off-line computers in 1968–69 by the Research Councils is expected to be about £1.3 million.
Expenditure figures for later years cannot yet be given.