§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Attorney-General if he will make a further statement on the progress of the studies relating to the computerisation of a statute book; what is the total amount which has been spent on this work to date, the number of people currently involved and the departments specifically operating the investigation.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Stationery Office is at present investigating the possibility of putting the Statutes on to computer for type-setting purposes and with 131W a view to its possible use eventually for the retrieval of legal information. In addition, the Atomic Energy Authority is conducting some preliminary research on the problems involved in computerising the Statutes relating to atomic energy. Proposals for the extension of this work are being considered. It is estimated that this research has cost about £7,000 to date. Four people are at present giving part of their time to this work.