§ Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will publish the final report of the Computer Board for Universities and Research Councils; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe final report of the Computer Board for Universities and Research Councils is published today, covering the period 1 April 1988 to 31 March 1991. The board's responsibilities were transferred to the Universities Funding Council and the Advisory Board for the Research Councils on 1 April this year.
The computer board's remit was to:
- —assist United Kingdom universities in keeping at the forefront of information systems (IS) developments in support of their academic research;
- —promote innovation, sound practice and value for money in the provision and use of information systems; and
- —foster universities' interaction on IS matters with the wider academic and research community.
I pay tribute to the computer board's achievements over the past 25 years. Thanks to the board, the use of computers in the universities is now spread extensively over all subject areas. Before it began its work it was the preserve of only a few specialists.
The board's vital contribution to this process was in helping and encouraging the universities to develop information systems strategies while also taking account of the rapid pace of technological change, initiating developments and promoting sound procurement procedures.