Catalogue description Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (D.S.I.R.). Working Party on Computer Science

Note: This material should be consulted in conjunction with that relating to the Science Research Council (S.R.C.) (CSAC 71.1.80/E.42-CSAC 71.1.80/E.63) which developed from D.S.I.R.

Following proposals by D.L.J. Perkins of I.C.T. and his correspondence with Sir Philip Morris, a meeting was called for 31 July 1962 under the Chairmanship of Sir Harry Melville (Secretary, D.S.I.R.) 'to discuss a proposal that a school of Computer Science or Computational Philosophy should be founded' (CSAC 71.1.80/E.22). It was agreed to appoint a Working Party to review the current use of computers in research and to recommend proposals for further research.

The Working Party, which was Chaired by L. Howarth, held its first meeting on 23 October 1962. Strachey was invited to act as its consultant (CSAC 71.1.80/E.23), his main task being to review previous work and research in progress in UK (CSAC 71.1.80/E.29-CSAC 71.1.80/E.31) and to present reports to the Working Party (included in CSAC 71.1.80/E.26, CSAC 71.1.80/E.27).

The final report of the Working Party was issued in April 1964 (CSAC 71.1.80/E.28).