§ 20. Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has now been made in merging the National Enterprise Board and the National Research Development Corporation.
§ Sir Keith JosephI have accepted Sir Frederick Wood's proposals, which have been unanimously endorsed by members of the NEB and NRDC boards, to integrate the operations of the two organisations under their existing statutes. To this end I have appointed a combined board under Sir Frederick Wood comprising the non-executive members of each board. I have also approved the appointment of a common chief executive, Mr. Brian Willott, the chief executive of the NEB and of Dr. Jim Cain, the managing director of the NRDC, as deputy chief executive. Both will sit on the combined Board.
By collaborating together the two organisations should be able to carry out their existing functions more effectively and economically. This experience will also help me consider the introduction of legislation to set up a new merged body. In the meantime, although the two bodies will remain separately accountable and retain their existing names, I have agreed that they may operate in partnership under the joint name of the British Technology Group.