§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports have been produced by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory to date in 1977; what was the cost to public funds of each report; how long each report took to compile; and what action is now being taken to implement the findings of each report.
§ Mr. HoramSo far this year the Laboratory has published 46 reports. I will send the hon. Member a list of these, with a note about costs, and an account of action being taken to implement their findings.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the functions of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory; what is its cost to public funds; how many people it 577W employs; and what are the salaries of its directors.
§ Mr. HoramThe Laboratory provides technical and scientific advice and information to help the formulation and implementation of Government policies on roads and transport, and on their interaction with urban and regional planning.
In 1976–77 the cost of the Laboratory to public funds was £9.7 million, and the average staff strength, including industrial workers, was 1,050. Strength is expected to drop to an average of about 1,010 in 1977–78, and the total costs of the laboratory this year are at present estimated at £11 million. The respective annual salaries of the director and his deputy are £13,460 and £11,670.