HC Deb 20 July 1982 vol 28 cc118-20W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the achievments and publications since 8 April 1981 of the structural integrity division of the Building Research Establishment; and what is its current programme of work.

Mr. Stanley

Since 8 April 1981, the structural integrity division of the Building Research Establishment has completed a number of investigations, first, to assess the safety and other implications of structural failure and, secondly, to assess the implications for structural integrity of future construction incorporating developments in structural materials and components.

There have been 13 publications, six arising directly from investigations and seven being more broadly based.

The current programme of work comprises similar studies of potential structural hazards, together with research on the structural performance of building and civil engineering construction.

Most investigations are carried out in collaboration with specialists in other divisions of the BRE and there is liaison with work on potential non-structural defects including that on housing by the housing defects prevention unit.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the table of staffing of the Building Research Establishment given in the reply by the Minister for Housing and Construction on 13 April 1981, Official Report, c. 66; what is the current shortfall of staff in post compared with the authorised complement (a) overall and (b) in the science category; and what is the proposed complement for 1982–83.

Mr. Stanley

The manpower allocation for the Building Research Establishment—including the civil engineering laboratory, the responsibility for which was transferred from the Property Services Agency to the Building Research Establishment on 1 April 1982—was 900 at 1 April 1982 and is 846 for 1 April 1983. There were overall 928½ staff in post on 1 April 1982, but in the science category 5½ fewer staff than in the complement for that category. A detailed table is as follows:

Authorised Complement 1 April 1982 Staff in Post 1 April 1982
BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT
Science Category
Director (CSO A) 1 1
CSO (B) 1 1
DCSO 6 5
SPSO 18 21
PSO 68 60
SSO 95 97
HSO 114 121½
SO 80 82
ASO 38 27
421 415½
Research Officers
SRO 1
Professional and Technology Category
Supt Architect 1 1
PPTO 9 10
PTO I 18 18
PTO II 11 12
PTO III 12 12
PTO IV 14 13
65 66
Administration Group
Principal 1 1
SEO 2 2
HEO 5 5
EO 13 15
CO 60 57½
CA 4
85 88
Information Officers
Senior Information Officers 1 1
Information Officers 2 3
Assistant Information Officers 2 2

Authorised Complement 1 April 1982 Staff in Post 1 April 1982
5 6
Graphics Officers
Graphics Officer III 2 2
Graphics Officer IV 1 1
Drawing Office Assistant 5 5
Tracer 1 1
9 9
Personal Secs and Typists
Senior Personal Secretary 1 1
Personal Secretary 17 18
Senior Supt. of Typists 1 1
Supt. of Typists 2 2
Typists 15 18
36 40
Photographers
Chief Photographer 1 1
Principal Photographer 3 3
Senior Photographer 7 7
Photographer 1 1
12 12
Other Grades
Assistant Chief Photoprinter 1 1
Photoprinter I 4 4
Photoprinter II 4 3
Senior Data Processor 6 6
Data Processor 13 16
Senior Messenger 2 2
Messenger 4
Telephonists 6 6
Laboratory Attendant 1
40 45½
Total: Non-Industrial 673 683
Total: Industrial 191 209
Total: All Grades 864 892
CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
PSO 1 1
SSO 1 1
HSO 1 1
SO 2 2
PTO I 1 1
PTO II 3 3
PTO III 1 1
CO 1 1
CA 2 2
Typist 1 ½
DO A 1 1
Tracer 1 ½
16 15
Total: Non-Industrial 16 15
Total: Industrial 20 21½
Total: All Grades 36 36½
Grand Total (BRE and CEL—All Grades) 900 928½