§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the reason for the gift of a minicomputer to the Ministry of Defence by the Health and Safety Commission; when the computer was purchased; at what price and for what purpose; what other Departments are deemed eligible for gifts of Health and Safety Commission equipment; and was this gift in particular, and are such gifts in general, advertised amongst Government Departments.
§ Mr. Waddington[pursuant to his reply]: The minicomputer in question was transferred to the Ministry of Defence when it was established that there was no further use for it within the Health and Safety Executive and that no purchaser could be found.
It was purchased in 1974 at a cost of £14,442 for use in the special instruments and techniques section which has a major concern with the use of computers for scientific measurement. It was used intensively for two to three years but was then gradually overtaken by advance in computer processing technology.
The Health and Safety Executive has no authority to make gifts to any organisation without Treasury approval. It is normal procedure for such equipment to be referred to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency for offer to other Government Department and it was through this procedure that, with Treasury approval, the minicomputer was transferred to the Ministry of Defence.