§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total amount of public money that has been paid to the Centre for Environmental Studies since 1965; what is the size of its current cost to public funds; what have been its activities and publications since its inception; how many staff it currently employs; and what are his plans for its future.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe Centre for Environmental Studies had to March 1979 been paid a total of £4.1 million—outturn prices—from public funds. This equates to £7.3 million at September 1978 prices. Its estimated cost to public funds in 1979–80 is £0.68 million at September 1978 prices. The activities of the centre are devoted to the objectives in its trust deed of advancing education and research in the planning and design of the physical environment, including economic and social research concerned with housing, industry and employment. The centre has to date published 215 papers; 30 books700W and numerous articles have also been written by members of its staff. Seventy-two staff are employed by the centre. I am reviewing the role and status of the centre but have not yet reached a decision on its future.