HC Deb 28 January 1954 vol 522 c1951
35. Mr. Albu

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount has been allocated to the British Institute of Management from the counterpart funds described in Command Paper No. 8776; and for what purpose

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Sixty-five thousand pounds. Of that amount, £35,000 is for practical study of selected aspects of management, for making the results widely known and for strengthening the information department to meet the additional demands arising from the general programme. Thirty thousand pounds is for developing some local offices. The Institute has already been awarded a contract for research work in production economics, and discussions are proceeding on two other research projects.

Mr. Albu

Is the President certain that this money will be used for the specific objects which he mentioned, and not used to defray the general expenses of this very slow-moving body? Is he aware that the proposal for setting up local management organisations was made originally over five years ago and nothing has yet been done, and is he satisfied that the Institute has the staff qualified to carryout the research work that he has described?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I can give the assurance that this money will be used for the purposes which I have specified. I am satisfied that this body, which, I think, is doing a useful job of work, is pressing on with it as fast as practicable.