HC Deb 10 February 1969 vol 777 cc235-6W
Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will list the Government research establishments for which his Department is responsible showing the location, date of foundation, numbers of qualified engineers and scientists and other staff, respectively, employed on 1st January, 1960, 1965 and 1969, and the cost of each establishment to public funds in the years 1959–60, 1964–65, and the estimate for 1968–69.

Mr. Mellish

My Department is responsible for two Government research establishments: the Building Research Station, founded in 1921, which is located at Garston with a small outstation at Thorntonhall, Glasgow; and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, founded in 1670.

Responsibility for the B.R.S. was transferred from Ministry of Technology to my Department on 1st July, 1967. On 1st April next responsibility for the R.B.G., Edinburgh, will be transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland.

Details for the Staff employed are:

BUILDING RESEARCH STATION
In post at Qualified engineers and scientists Other non-industrial staff Industrial staff Total staff
1st January 1960 183 255 125 563
1st January, 1965 221 298 145 664
1st January, 1969 267 345 184 796
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN
In post at Qualified engineers and scientists Other non-industrial staff Industrial staff Total staff
1st January, 1960 6 53 92 151
1st January, 1965 8 62 91 161
1st January, 1969 8 69 83 160

The assessed cost to public funds of these two Establishments is as following, complete records for 1959–60 being no longer available.

Building Research Station Royal Botanic Garden
£ £
1959–60 820,000 170,000
1964–65 1,350,000 260,000
1968–69 2,320,000 325,000