§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied that the Civil Service possesses the necessary technical skills to make efficient use of computers; what plan he has to increase his Departments technological expertise; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonIn common with other large organisations, the Civil Service is at410W present suffering from a shortage of skilled ADP staff. The longer-term review of administrative computing, which reported in 1978, recognised this shortage and made a number of recommendations for improving the management and training of ADP staff. As a result of these recommendations, a number of steps have been taken, both in the Civil Service Department and in other Departments, with a view to improving the retention of such staff and to making more effective use of the resources available. Particular attention is being given to the problems of highly-specialised staff. In addition, the role, objectives and organisation of the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency's technical services are being reviewed.