HC Deb 29 November 1977 vol 940 cc159-60W
Mr. Sims

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he has consulted with those who normally submit samples for analysis to the laboratory of Government Chemist at Waterloo on the proposal to move the laboratory to West Cumbria; and to what extent those users have advised him to what extent they will continue to use the service when it is situated in West Cumbia.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Extensive consultations have taken place with major users of the laboratory and their requirements will be taken fully into consideration in the plans which are being made for dispersal.

Mr. Sims

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the number of samples submitted for analysis to the laboratory of the Government Chemist at Waterloo in the most recent convenient 12-month period,

his Department, and the local authorities concerned, together with the numbers of unemployed in those regions.

Mr. Cryer

The information requested is as follows:

breaking the figure down to indicate the Government department or organisation on whose behalf they were submitted.

Mr. Les Huckfield

I refer the hon. Member to Appendix 5 of the 1976 report of the Government Chemist.

Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to his reply of 15th November 1977 to the hon. Member for Chingford, concerning the costs of the proposed move of the laboratory of the Government Chemist from London, whether the statement that separate figures for distinct elements in the programme cannot be given at this stage means that such figures have been calculated but are not available to Parliament or that they have not been calculated.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Estimated costs and savings for the individual elements have been calculated as I stated in my reply to tile hon. Member on 15th November—[Official Report, Vol. 939, c. 116]—to reveal them would be prejudicial to PSA's normal contract negotiations.