HC Deb 21 June 1993 vol 227 cc20-1W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the economic and public expenditure effects, and effects on research expertise in environmental technology in Britain, of closing Warren Spring Laboratory.

Mr. McLoughlin

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's pursuant reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 10 June 1993,Official Report, column 303. My right hon. Friend made a long-term assessment of all these matters and concluded that they favoured the creation of the National Environmental Technology Centre as announced on 10 June.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he gave to PA consultancy group's position as a business rival to Warren Spring Laboratory at the time PA consultancy group was appointed to review the future of Warren Spring Laboratory.

Mr. McLoughlin

The PA consultancy group was selected after a process of competitive tendering and with the knowledge that it is a company with an international reputation which could be relied upon to act with complete integrity.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff, and what present Warren Spring Laboratory functions, he proposes to transfer to Harwell.

Mr. McLoughlin

[holding answer 15 June 1993]: My aims with regard to both the staff and the business activities of the Warren Spring Laboratory were given in my right hon. Friend's pursuant reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 10 June 1993, Official Report, column 303. The precise details and numbers are still being decided.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the President of the Board of Trade ( 1 ) what plans he has for the revenue received from Glaxo for the sale of the former site of Warren Spring Laboratory in Stevenage;

(2) if he will make a statement on (a) the sum paid by Glaxo for the Warren Spring Laboratory site in Stevenage and (b) if the revenue will be used to secure the future of the laboratory's expertise and staff.

Mr. McLouglin

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's pursuant reply to my hon. Friend the Member for 13Iaby (Mr. Robathan), on 10 June 1993,Official Report, column 303.