§ Mr. Hiltonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement about Ministerial responsibility for the Building Research Station.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. The Trend Report in 1963 recommended that a review be undertaken after a reasonable interval to decide whether Ministerial responsibility for the Building Research Station should be transferred to the Ministry of Public Building and Works. After a full and careful review of the position of the Building Research Station, I am satisfied that the requirements proposed by the Trend Report for transfer to the Ministry of Public Building and Works are now met. In particular, the Ministry's Directorate General of Research and Development is now well equipped to play an effective role in the formulation of policies. I have therefore decided that responsibility for the Building Research Station should be transferred on the 1st of July to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building 153W and Works. The arrangements will maintain the scientific integrity of the Station's work, and its close links with the building industry, and will enable research and development related to the construction industry to be co-ordinated.