HC Deb 19 March 1963 vol 674 cc192-3
15. Mr. Bourne-Arton

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what plans he has for the removal of the National Chemical Laboratory from Teddington to a site where expansion will be possible.

51. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what plans he has for the removal of the National Chemical Laboratory from Teddington to a site in a scheduled area such as Merseyside, North-East England, or Scotland.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

The building requirements of all establishments of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for the next five years, including those of the National Chemical Laboratory, are at present under consideration. It is not yet possible to say what development of the N.C.L. will take place or whether a move to a new site will be possible. If a move to a new site can be fitted into the programme, the claims of areas of high unemployment will be considered.

Mr. Bourne-Arton

I thank my hon. Friend for that Answer. Will he, when considering new sites, give special consideration to the advantages of moving this laboratory to the North-East, where it could not only operate more efficiently but where its presence would help to stimulate scientific research and technological development in the area?

Mr. Freeth

I will bear that in mind.

Mr. Dalyell

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that there are extremely distinguished faculties of chemistry at Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow with whom National Chemical Laboratory personnel could cross-fertilise ideas?

Mr. Freeth

I take the point made by the hon. Member.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

If this laboratory has to be moved from Teddington, will my hon. Friend give an assurance that plenty of notice will be given to the staff and also some help over removal expenses?

Mr. Freeth

On the first part of that supplementary question, of course we shall give the maximum notice possible and if a new building has to be erected the notice will be substantial in length. I shall certainly look at my hon. Friend's second suggestion.