§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many computer data banks are run by the Government; and what they are.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI assume that the hon. Member is referring to personal information about identifiable individuals. A list of tasks carried out on Government computers holding such information is contained in the White Paper "Computers: Safeguards for Privacy" (Cmnd 6353) published in December 1975.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many computers are in operation in the public sector.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI can only answer for the Civil Service. There are about 300 computers installed in Government Departments for administrative and scientific purposes. A list of them, including information about the use for which they were acquired, is published in "Management Services in Government" annually in May and is up-dated quarterly. The publication is available in the House of Commons Library.