§ Lord Houghton of Sowerbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the recently created centralised computer centres are the latest focal point of disruptive strike action in the public services, and what safeguards will be introduced against this 108WA growing threat to public administration and the machinery of government in future plans for highly concentrated and vulnerable centres of new technology.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Lord Soames)The Government are fully aware of the potential of some existing computer installations as focal points of disruptive action. Responsibility for devising safeguards against such threats rests with each individual department. The Civil Service Department will continue to advise and to draw attention to the need to plan new systems in the light of foreseeable contingencies, and to strike a balance between the risks involved and the long-term cost-effectiveness of such systems.
House adjourned at eighteen minutes past eight o'clock.