§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the functions of Sandridge laboratories, St. Albans; what research is being carried out there; how much of this concerns police equipment and in particular crowd control materials; whether any research carried out there concerns civil defence; and whether the laboratories would perform any other functions in the event of a national emergency.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Sandridge laboratories are responsible for carrying out the equipment research and development work of the Home Office scientific research and development branch. The principal areas of work are in electronics, optics, acoustics and materials research and336W development, and current projects include work in connection with improved alarm systems, photograph enhancement techniques, video and audio tape recordings, radar speed meters and automatic number plate reading equipment. Approximately 10 per cent. of the laboratories' work is concerned with equipment used by the police in connection with public disorder, and a further 80 per cent. on other police equipment. None of the research concerns civil defence. The possibility that a national emergency might affect the work of the laboratories cannot be excluded, but no additional functions are prescribed for that event.