§ Mr. Wadeasked the Minister of Education, as representing the Minister for Science, why there is considerable delay in testing new products for fire resistance at the Fire Research Station, Boreham Wood; to what extent this is attributable to the preparations being made for the opening of a new wing; and whether he will ensure that the products presented to the Research Station are dealt with more expeditiously.
§ Sir D. EcclesRecent delays have been due to a welcome increase in the number of applications from industry coupled with difficulty in recruiting qualified staff. Efforts are being made to recruit the additional staff required to increase the rate of testing within the available facilities. The time required has not been significantly increased by preparations for the opening of the new building.