HC Deb 07 December 1936 vol 318 cc1651-2W
Mr. DAY

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether he will give the number of chemical research producing or testing establishments that are under the direct control of the various Government Departments; the total number of persons employed in each; and the title or designation by which these establishments are known and the particular Government Department that controls each;

(2) the total number of persons established and non-established, respectively, who are employed in the various Government chemical research producing or testing establishments; and the number of persons and designation of the grade employed in each class;

(3) the salaries or wages paid to the various employés (standing and maximum) who are employed in the various Government chemical research producing or testing establishments, and the hours of work each person is employed; the manner in which grade promotions, if any, are effected; whether any of these employés are entitled to pension or gratuity; and the length of the annual holiday, if any, granted to them;

(4) the hours of work per week undertaken by the employés engaged in any of the Government chemical research producing or testing establishments under the direct control of the various Government Departments; and the methods of the appointment, qualifications that are necessary for such employment, and the service conditions attached thereto?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

I have been asked to reply. The establishments which the hon. Member presumably has in mind are as follow:

The Chemical Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

The Chemical Defence Research Department of the War Office.

The Government Chemist's Department.

The Admiralty Chemist's Department.

The War Department Chemist's Department.

Particulars of the salaries of, and numbers employed in, the main grades in these establishments are contained in the published Estimates. I regret that I am not in a position to give the further particulars referred to in the questions and the expenditure of time and labour which would be involved by their prepara tion would be so great that I do not feel justified in asking the Departments concerned to undertake it.