HC Deb 24 April 1978 vol 948 cc480-1W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current staffing establishment of the Building Research Establishment; how this compares with 1976 and 1977; and what changes are envisaged for 1979, distinguishing between (a) qualified scientists, (b) technicians, and (c) administrative and auxiliary staff.

Mr. Shore

The information requested is set out in the table below. The target complements for 1st April 1978 and 1st April 1979 are the same, but owing to a cessation of recruitment over the period during which manpower cuts were being applied, the staff in post numbers have fallen below the target. Recruitment has now been resumed and numbers will increase in the current year.

Mr. Shore

As a result of the financial constraints since 1975, the current 1978–79 provision for BRE has been reduced by £1.5 million—15 per cent.—compared with 1976–77 levels. This has meant that research priorities have had to be reappraised. Plans for the coming years are being made on the assumption that the 1978–79 level of funding will be sustained.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the effect of cash limits on the retirement procedure and promotion prospects of scientific staff in the Building Research Establishment.

Mr. Shore

There has been no direct effect, but both have been affected by the measures that have been introduced to achieve a balanced slimming of science group staff in the DOE/DTp Research command, which includes both BRE and TRRL, consequent upon the Government's decision to reduce Civil Service staff numbers.

These measures involved the reduction of the science group retirement age from 65 to 60, with safeguards for those with short service and a limited number of voluntary premature retirements on public interest terms. In addition promotion in 1977 was at only a little over 40 per cent. of the rate in the immediately preceding years. In 1978 it is hoped to improve the rate substantially and from 1979 onwards the promotions for scientists should be at a rate close to that prevailing previously.