Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in evaluation of the prospects for agency status for the Meteorological Office and non-nuclear research establishments.
§ Mr. SainsburyAn initial report submitted in the summer put forward a prima facie case for establishing the Meteorological office as an agency. Further work is now proceeding to develop the necessary detailed structures. The report by the Defence research study team into the feasibility of establishing the non-nuclear defence research establishments as an agency was also submitted in the summer. We are now considering the way ahead in the light of its conclusions and recommendations.