HC Deb 15 January 1987 vol 108 cc294-5W
Ms. Harman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when new technology will be introduced at the Official Report Press;

(2) if retraining will be available for those copyreaders at the Official Report Press whose jobs will be affected by the introduction of new technology.

Mr. Brooke

New technology, which is regarded in the printing industry as referring to computer-assisted typesetting and associated techniques, was introduced at the Official Report Press (Hansard Press) in January 1981.

Any further change which could affect jobs, including those of copyreaders, will be discussed with representatives of the trades unions involved. Such discussions would include the scope for retraining.