§ 28. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, if he will give details of his plan to build and equip a biological research station at Leatherhead.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe research station at Leatherhead referred to in the hon. and learned Member's Question is planned by the British Industrial Biological Research Association. This is an autonomous industrial body and is not controlled by my noble Friend, although the D.S.I.R. will make a contribution to its finances. My noble Friend understands that the new laboratories will cover a total area of 5,150 sq. ft. and will cost the Association £56,000. The main purpose of the facilities is to investigate the effect on health of substances used in food manufacture, or which may find their way into food from things such as pesticides, packaging materials or utensils.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister realise that the Government are behaving in an anomalous fashion in this matter of research? While building this station at Leatherhead and equipping it, they are breaking up a world-famous research station of a similar character at Greyhope Road, Aberdeen, selling the apparatus at a loss, and breaking up a band of scientists who have done very good work. Will the right hon. Gentleman consult his colleagues with a view to getting rid of the anomaly and leaving the station at Greyhope Road to continue its good work?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe two projects are completely distinct. The Leatherhead site was chosen to enable some facilities to be shared with the British Food Manufacturing Industries Research Association. It has the additional advantage that the site is quite near to the Medical Research Council's Toxicological Research Unit at Carshalton.