§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is the planned time scale for the relocation of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist; and what consultation with staff interests will be undertaken before a final decision is reached;
(2) what is the estimated cost or relocating the Laboratory of the Government Chemist at each of the possible sites in Greater London so far considered;
(3) what options have been considered for the relocation of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist within Greater London; which is the preferred option; and for what reason.
§ Mr. WakehamThe future location of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist is under consideration in consultation with interested Departments and my Department's trade union representatives. A number of options are being evaluated, including developments in Central London, co-location with the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington and locations outside the London area. In reaching a decision, careful consideration will be given to the comparative costs, the manpower and other resource implications, and the potentially significant contribution that relocation could make to the efficacy of the laboratory and the development of my Department's corporate research strategy.
At this stage, it is not possible to set a firm time scale for any relocation of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.