HC Deb 21 May 1980 vol 985 cc261-2W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the number of staff in post on 1 April at the Building Research Establishment exceeded the authorised complement in each of the following grades, namely, research officer, professional and technology, secretaries and typists, photographers and other grades, while the science category in post was 51 staff below complement; and whether he will give an assurance that further reductions in manpower will fall initially on those grades in excess of complement or exactly matching it, as in the case of information officers.

Mr. Heseltine

When the overall complement of the Building Research Establishment was reduced from 873 to 811 complement reductions were applied to all the main staff groups. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave details of the reduced complement in his reply to my hon. Friend's previous question on 7 May 1980.—[Vol. 984, c. 142–4]—Wastage among scientists had, however, been greater than for other staff groups and thus even after the complement reductions the number of scientists fell short of complement. In making any further reductions in the Establishment's complement full account will be taken of all relevant factors.