HC Deb 16 December 1965 vol 722 cc1448-9
30. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will recommend that the headquarters of the Natural Environment Research Council be situated in Scotland.

Mr. Crosland

The headquarters was set up in London earlier this year, but the position in the longer term is subject to review.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that Scotland offers particular facilities for the headquarters of this organisation notably in relation to questions such as land use and research in natural resources, and will he not further accept that the siting of headquarters of such organisations is a logical part of any regional development policy?

Mr. Crosland

The hon. Gentleman must not exaggerate the difference that siting would make to questions of regional development. In this particular case, 95 per cent. of the staff is employed not in the headquarters but in various outside institutions and research bodies. We are not discussing a very large number of people. The main fact is that we have now established this new Council in London, and I do not want to disturb it at this very early stage of its work.

Mr. Dalyell

Will my right hon. Friend do his best to see, at least, that forestry research. unlike the headquarters of the Forestry Commission, is situated in Scotland?

Mr. Crosland

That is a separate question.