HC Deb 22 December 1971 vol 828 cc354-5W
Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to co-ordinate the work of the Building Research Station, Fire Research Station and Forest Products Research Laboratory; whether he proposes any further organisational changes following his review of the work of his Department's research activities; and whether the existing joint arrangements for collaboration between Government and the insurance companies in fire research will be maintained.

Mr. Peter Walker

After the necessary consultations I have decided, in the interests of increased efficiency and greater flexibility in carrying out the Department's research programme, to amalgamate the Building Research Station, the Fire Research Station and the Forest Products Research Laboratory into a single organisation to be known as the Building Research Establishment. This new arrangement will come into effect on 1st January, 1972. The Fire Research Station will retain its present name and will be a department of the Building Research Establishment. The existing joint arrangements for collaboration between Her Majesty's Government and the insurance companies will be maintained for the time being. Discussions are, however, taking place with the insurance companies in regard to future responsibilities for certain aspects of the work at the Station, e.g. routine testing. The Forest Products Research Laboratory will become the Princes Risborough Laboratory and will also be a department of the Building Research Establishment. It is envisaged that the activities of the stations will largely embrace the fields covered in the past. Both will remain identifiable working units headed, as at present, by deputy chief scientific officers, who will become assistant directors of the Building Research Establishment. The present Director of the Building Research Station will become Director of the Building Research Establishment.

I have also decided that from 1st January the Road Research Laboratory should be known as the Transport and Road Research Laboratory to reflect its wider interests and activities.