HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 cc713-5W
Mr. Warren

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many computer work stations there are in his Departments; what is the ratio of work stations to civil servants; and how he expects this to change over the next five years.

Mr. Brooke

[holding answer 20 July 1988]: The information requested is as follows:

HM Treasury

The Treasury, which includes the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, Chessington Computer Centre and the Civil Service Catering Organisation, has 1,300 computer work stations. The overall ratio of work stations to staff is about 1:2.5. This figure includes all terminals and microcomputers but excludes stand-alone dedicated word processors. Planned expansions by the year 1993 will bring the overall ratio to about 1:1.5.

Inland Revenue

There are at present over 37,500 computer work stations in use within the Inland Revenue representing a ratio of 1:1.77 work stations to staff. The Department expects the number of terminals to grow significantly over the next five years as several major computer systems are implemented, increasing the ratio of terminals to staff.

Customs and Excise

The number of computer work stations in HM Customs and Excise is 2,750. There is a ratio of 1:9.5 on current staff in post in the Department.

Over the next five years a steady increase in the number of work stations is expected, rising to a total of approximately 7,500. This will represent a ratio of approximately 1:3.5 based on current staff in post.

National Savings

There are about 1,600 computer work stations in National Savings and 7,400 posts: a ratio of 1:4.6. Over the next five years the ratio is expected to increase to about 1:3.

Her Majesty's Stationery Office

HMSO currently has 1,073 computer work stations, which is approximately 1:3 of the 3,200 permanent staff. It is estimated that in five years' time the ratio will be 2:3.

Paymaster General's Office

Within the Paymaster General's Office there are currently 241 work stations, equal to a ratio of 1:3.4 civil servants. This is expected to increase to a ratio of 1:1.2 civil servants over the next five years.

Central Office of Information

The Central Office of Information currently has 87 computer work stations at a ratio of one per 10 civil servants in the Department. This figure is expected to rise to 425 work stations at a ratio of one per two civil servants over the next five years if the current staffing level is maintained.

The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint currently has in use approximately 70 computer work stations which include stand-alone personal computers and visual display units connected to the main computer network. The ratio of work stations to non-industrial civil servants is one work station to every 4½ non-industrial staff.

Over the next five years, the use of work stations is expected to increase significantly and it is estimated that the ratio of work stations to non-industrial civil servants will increase to one work station to every three non-industrial staff.

Registry of Friendly Societies

The Registry of Friendly Societies has 67 computer work stations and the ratio of work stations to staff is 1:2. Present plans would indicate no significant change in the ratio.

Government Actuary's Department

The Government Actuary's Department has 42 computer work stations, representing 80 per cent. of staff members. Over the next five years the number may increase very slightly as further work conversions are carried out.

National Investment and Loans Office

The National Investment and Loans Office currently has nine computer work stations, giving a ratio of work stations to staff of approximately 1:5.

A further six work stations are estimated to be acquired in the next five years thereby increasing the ratio to 1:3.