HC Deb 12 July 1982 vol 27 cc297-9W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the current design programme of work of the design office of the Director General of Design Services, indicating any changes since 13 April 1981 arising either from the completion of the work or the postponement of the scheme on economy grounds.

Sir George Young

On 1 April 1982, following an internal reorganisation, the design office of the Director General of Design Services assumed professional responsibility for the design and construction of new prisons in England and Wales for the Home Office, including schemes placed with consultants. At the same time it was also asked to pursue design standards and standardisation work and, as a consequence, was renamed the "Design Standards Office".

Its current programme of work, including the new responsibilities, consists of the following projects:

Location
Hartland Point Reprovision of Operations Building
Kineton Central Ammunition Depot Development
Stone British Telecommunications Training Centre—Central and Engineering Buildings

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will break down in tabular form, similar to that provided in reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 15 April 1981, Official Report, c. 206, details of the staff currently in post in the Director General of Design Services, including their grades and professional disciplines.

Sir George Young

Staff in post on 1 April 1982 were as follows:

Number
Under Secretaries 3
Directors B 7
Superintending Grades 17
Professional and Technology Group:
Principal Professional and Technology Officers 67
Other Professional and Technology Officers 290
Science Group:
Principal Scientific Officers 2
Other Science Grades 1
Administration Group:
Principal 2
Others 80
Secretarial and other staff 19
488

Professionally qualified staff comprised:

Number
Architects and Landscape Architects 35
Civil Engineers 62
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers 49
Quantity Surveyors 42
Building Surveyors 14
Land Surveyors 5
207

A further 177 staff have scientific or technological qualifications.