§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Environment (1) what representations he has received about the future of the Building Research Establishment; and what has been his response;
(2) if he proposes to take steps to remove the Building Research Establishment from the public sector.
§ Mr. StanleyVarious representations have been received from people associated with the construction industry and also from Members of Parliament following letters from constituents. The responses have set out the present position in the Government's consideration of the future of the establishment, and I will send a copy of the relevant letter to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Environment what investigations he has commissioned into ways of increasing the contributions made by the construction industry towards the costs of the Building Research Establishment; and what were the results.
§ Mr. StanleyA study was undertaken by consultants in 1980 to determine the scope for increasing cost recovery by the Building Research Establishment. It concluded that there might be potential for getting industry, through cost recovery, to pay 16 per cent. of the total BRE costs instead of the present 11/2 per cent.