§ Mr. BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about future management arrangements for the Building Research Establishment.
§ Mr. RidleyI propose that the Building Research Establishment (BRE) should be a candidate for executive agency status within my Department. I shall be drawing up more detailed proposals relating to the targets and operation of BRE on which I shall consult the trades unions representing BRE staff and would hope that the new agency would come into operation by 1 April 1990.
Important changes in the organisation and funding of BRE have been introduced recently as a result of a study undertaken by Lord Chilver and Sir Peter Harrop. The proposal to designate BRE as an executive agency is fully consistent with these developments, and will extend BRE's ability to compete for commissions from both the public and private sectors.