§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice has been given to him by the National Economic Development Office concerning the future of the Building Research Establishment; and when he expects to make a statement on his conclusions.
§ Mr. StanleyMy right hon. Friend has only recently received the report, which has been prepared by a joint working party of the building and civil engineering EDCs under the chairmanship of Sir Peter Trench. That report proposes the establishment of a research strategy committee for these EDCs, and a board of management for the Building Research Establishment. My right hon. Friend is now considering these proposals, but I cannot at this stage say when he will have reached conclusions. I am placing a copy of the report in the Library.