§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the success of the manpower economies at the Building Research Establishment; whether any promotion agreements have been broken; and whether there has been any reduction in the capability of the establishment.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe targets for overall staff costs and numbers have been met, but the balance sought between grades has yet to be achieved. Although the promotion agreement for science group staff has not been broken the Department was unable in 1977 to follow the practice in recent years of promoting all staff recommended by the interviewing panels.
The staff cuts have inevitably reduced the capability of the Establishment. Priority areas for research have however been identified, and I intend to maintain adequate staff effort in these fields.
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what will be the total reduction in staff at the Building Research Establishment compared with April 1976 when the proposed manpower economies are carried through.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe staff in post on 1st April 1976 was 975; the reduction planned is 99.
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any work at the Building Research Establishment has been delayed or stopped due to 215W staff shortages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 10th May—[Vol. 949, c. 543.]
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in what areas of building technology the Building Research Establishment is now short of experienced senior staff at or above the level of senior scientific officer.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe main areas are those of structural design, materials science and environmental physics.