1. One of the reasons often advanced for the installation of a computer is that, in addition to carrying out existing processes more speedily, it will make available information and analysis previously unobtainable because of the weight of calculation and data processing involved. It is therefore appropriate that at this stage some thought should be given to the end-product and basis of various actuarial investigations to see whether the advent of new tools and techniques can be harnessed to improve the quality of the results of the investigations normally carried out by actuaries. One starting point for such research is a consideration of the defects (if any) in the form and basis of existing investigations. The first part of this note deals with possible lines of research in the field of life office valuation, surplus and new business investigations. It does not pretend to be comprehensive nor does it claim that the questions posed are the best questions or that a solution exists.