Building Research Station

HC Deb 08 February 1955 vol 536 cc1716-7

16. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether the reduction in expenditure at the Building Research Station on operational research and on research into concrete has yet been restored.

Mr. Bevins

The economies made in 1950–52 in operational research, which formed part of a general reorganisation of the Building Research Station, have not been restored. Research into concrete was not greatly affected.

Mr. Skeffington

Does not the Minister think it is now time that this economy was made good, in view of all the factors and of the importance of this work?

Mr. Bevins

No, Sir. It is quite true that operational research was reduced in 1950 and 1951, but I am sure that there is now less need for it in the building industry than there was. For example, as the hon. Member knows, we used to have a lot of surveys into productivity in that industry, but since then productivity has gone up by about 10 per cent and they are not now so necessary.