HC Deb 24 April 1967 vol 745 cc1125-6
9 and 10. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what additional restrictions will apply to members of the staff of the Building Research Station following the transfer of this establishment from the Ministry of Technology to his Department;

(2) what proposals he has to ensure the continuation of the confidence built up over the years between the Building Research Station and the construction industry, based upon the independent and unbiased status generally accorded to the station.

Mr. Prentice

In the next few weeks I shall consider the detailed arrangements in consultation with the Director of the station. There is absolutely no reason to suggest that the change will diminish the independence of the station or the confidence placed in it by the industry. No additional restrictions will be placed on the stiff of the station following the transfer.

Mrs. Short

In view of the concern felt in t he Department about the transfer, will my right hon. Friend assure the House, first, about the freedom of publication of the station and also about the dangers that there may be that the staff will be subject to additional restrictions because of defence commitments? On Question No. 10, in order to preserve this independence, which is of very great value, will my right hon. Friend ensure that the Director of the Building Research Station reports directly to him and not through any intermediary?

Mr. Prentice

I thought that in my original reply I gave a general assurance about the independence of the station. The Prime Minister said last week: The arrangements will maintain the scientific integrity of the station's work and its close links with the building industry."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th April, 1967; Vol. 745, c. 153] I attach great importance to that. The Director will have close contact with me and also I hope with a number of officials in the Department. The exact details are still to be worked out.

Mr. Costain

Is the Minister aware that the husband of the hon. Lady the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short) is a respected member of this Department and therefore she knows very well what she is talking about'?

Mr. Prentice

I am sure that in this House my hon. Friend addresses herself to the public interest in this matter just as any other hon. Member would do.