Natural Resources Institute

HL Deb 14 December 1995 vol 567 cc115-6WA

Lord Swinfen

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress they have made in deciding the future ownership of the Natural Resources Institute.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have carefully considered indicative offers for the ownership of the Natural Resources Institute received by the closing date of 16 October. The Government's objective is a transfer of ownership which will continue to provide a centre of multidisciplinary expertise on the sustainable management of renewable natural resources for ODA and other customers, gives staff a fair future, and represents value for money for the taxpayer. I have decided to invite final offers by the end of January 1996 from:

Cranfield University;

A consortium of the University of Edinburgh, University of Greenwich, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and Wye College, University of London.

Serco International Limited in association with University of Wales.