HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc463-4W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had from Hugh Fish, chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council on compulsory redundancies within two years in Natural Environment Research Council laboratories, related to the marine sciences; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

Mr. Fish wrote to my right hon. Friend on 4 September concerning, inter alia, the future funding of the Natural Environment Research Council. I understand that, at its next meeting on 21 January, the Natural Environment Research Council will consider priorities within its programmes, including marine science, and the staffing implications of those priorities. The Council hopes that any staff reductions can be achieved without recourse to compulsory redundancy.