HC Deb 18 July 1985 vol 83 cc203-4W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what factors he based his decision to meet only half the cost of the £200,000 a year advisory service on profitable ways to recycle waste to be established at the Warren Spring laboratory in Hertfordshire.

Mr. Pattie

It is most important that the work of the unit to be formed at Warren Spring laboratory is of a direct relevance to industrial needs. This can best be achieved by involving industry both in the formulation of the work of the unit and in its cost. Furthermore it is entirely appropriate that industry, one of the main potential beneficiaries from the expertise at Warren Spring laboratory, should contribute to their programme Such a contribution is entirely in accord with the general support policies of my Department.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which was the organisation that made an offer to his Department to purchase the Warren Spring laboratory in Hertfordshire after his original announcement of his intention to sell it off to the private sector.

Mr. Pattie

A number of approaches were made to my Department last year by organisations expressing an interest in Warren Spring laboratory and it would not be appropriate for me to give information about those organisations or their interests, which I must regard as commercially confidential.