§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Postmaster-General when the hon. Member for West Ham, North can expect a reply to his communication of 27th December
Staff employed at 1st January, 1969 Net cost on Ministry's Establishment Location Date of Foundation Q.S.E. Other Vote 1968–69 (estimate) £ Safety in Mines Research Establishment Sheffield and Buxton. 1908 78 306 760,000 Gas Standards Branch London 1921 11 36 Nil Notes:
1. Details of the numbers of qualified engineers and scientists employed at these establishments in earlier years are not readily available. The total staff employed at Safety in Mines Research Establishment at 1st January, 1960 and 1965 respectively was 368 and 386. Comparable figures for Gas Standards Branch were 30 and 34.
2. In addition to the cost borne on the Ministry's vote there are costs for the provision of services by other Departments: details are not readily available.
3. The costs of the gas examining and testing services, which include those of Gas Standard Branch, are recoverable in full—partly from the Gas Council in respect of gas examining and partly from gas meter manufacturers by way of fees in respect of gas meter testing. Prior to 1st April, 1960 part of the cost of Gas Standards was not recoverable: the figures are not readily available.
4. The approximate net costs borne on the Ministry's Vote for Safety in Mines Research Establishment for the financial years 1959–60 and 1964–65 were £353,000 and £583,000 respectively.