§ Mr. Tugendhatasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is yet able to announce the future organisation of central computer functions for Government Departments.
§ Mr. David HowellThe Government take the view that computing in Govern-364W ment requires an increasingly close association between policy, planning, and execution as recognised in the recent report from the Select Committee on Science and Technology. Many computer projects involve important Government policies as well as major questions of administration and organisation. The Government have therefore decided to draw together into a single organisation those central computer functions at present spread between the Civil Service Department (policy, planning, and operational support); the Department of Trade and Industry (the Technical Support Unit); and Her Majesty's Stationery Office (purchasing, contracts, and the Central Computer Bureau). Sponsorship of the computer industry will remain with the Department of Trade and Industry.
The Government welcome this opportunity of paying tribute to the work done by computer staffs within the present organisations but are convinced that a single central organisation will be more effective and offer greater opportunities to the staff concerned. The new body, to be known as the Central Computer Agency, will be established as from 1st April, 1972. It will form part of the Civil Service Department. There will, of course, be consultation with the appropriate staff interests. Central computing functions only are concerned: Departments will continue to be responsible for their own computer operations, subject to financial approval of new A.D.P. projects by the agency.
In future, the Government as a major computer user should be able to speak more clearly with a single central voice. The agency itself will offer greater scope for increased professionalism and for computer careers in Government.