Construction Industry Research and Information Association

HC Deb 12 November 1969 vol 791 c392

22. Mr. Mawby

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will now make a statement on his decision regarding the future of the Construction Industry Research and Information Association.

Mr. John Silkin

After consulting representatives of the industry I decided that my Ministry's special information grant to C.I.R.I.A. should end on 30th June, 1970. The association, however, will continue to receive a grant from the Ministry of Technology.

Mr. Mawby

While the right hon. Gentleman's decision is probably right, may I ask whether he is satisfied that the B.R.S. is sufficiently well staffed to deal with telephone inquiries?

Mr. Silkin

I hope that its staff will be increased, and it may well be, by the addition of some of the C.I.R.I.A. staff. I should like the hon. Gentleman to understand that this is by way of being an experimental service and we must see how it operates.