HC Deb 28 May 1963 vol 678 cc1099-100
13. Sir H. Legge-Bourke

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether a new site for the National Chemical Laboratory has yet been chosen; and what criteria have been used in making the choice.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. BourneArton) and the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 19th March, 1963.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will this decision be influenced by the proximity that the eventual site will have to the National Physical Laboratory? I know that many members of the National Chemical Laboratory staff would like to feel that they could be at fairly close hand.

Mr. Freeth

I agree with my hon. Friend that it would be an ideal solution to have a new National Chemical Laboratory building within easy reach of the National Physical Laboratory building at Teddington. This appears to be unlikely to be achieved because of the difficulty of finding a suitable site in the near vicinity. However, we certainly place very great importance upon there being close contact between the working of the National Chemical Laboratory and the National Physical Laboratory, wherever either may be situated.

Mr. Ross

Is the Minister aware that this is just the kind of laboratory that should be sited in Scotland where we want to promote the very industries that we expect will develop from the work of this laboratory?

Mr. Freeth

I note the hon. Gentleman's intervention.

Dr. Bray

Will the Parliamentary Secretary note the desirability of locating this laboratory near an existing centre of the chemical industry, in view of the great importance of securing a rapid transfer of views from the scientists to the industrialists?

Mr. Freeth

I note the hon. Gentleman's suggestion as well, but of course it will not be possible to put it in both the North-East and Scotland.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Is my hon. Friend now prepared to answer a little more clearly the second part of my Question, regarding the criteria which are being borne in mind?

Mr. Freeth

The technical requirements must have an overriding influence. My noble Friend has for some years asked research councils to take the claims of areas of high unemployment into consideration, but I think that the technical requirements must have an overriding part in the decision.