§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the establishment of each of the defence research establishments in 1990 and 1991; and what is the current establishment of each and that projected for 1993 and 1994.
§ Mr. AitkenThis is a matter delegated to the Defence Research Agency under its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
In his written reply on 19 October the Secretary of State for Defence informed you that I would be replying directly to the question:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the establishment of each of the Defence Research Establishments in 1990 and 1991 and what is the current establishment of each and that projected for 1993 and 1994.
On 1 April 1990 the total number of staff employed in the four establishments which later formed the Defence Research Agency was 11,912. The Defence Research Agency was set up on 1 April 1991 and on that day its staff numbered 12,027.Since 1 April 1991 a number of DRA staff have transferred to the new Test and Evaluation organisation and some of the MOD's Quality Assurance staff have joined the DRA. I also released a number of staff through a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme earlier this year. At present the DRA establishment is 11,267.As you know I have recently announced a rationalisation strategy for the DRA which, if given Ministerial approval, could result in a further reduction in DRA staff numbers of some 2,000 by 1994–95.