§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were employed within each of the designated categories at the National Engineering Laboratory in each of the last 10 years; and how many are budgeted to be employed at the end of the current financial year.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe number of staff employed at the National Engineering Laboratory for each of the last 10 years broken down by category is as follows:44W
As at 1 April Non Industrial Staff Industrial Staff Total Staff 1980 523.0 267.0 790.0 1981 495.0 246.0 741.0 1982 468.5 237.5 706.0 1983 456.5 226.5 683.0 1984 458.5 193.0 651.5 1985 461.0 185.0 646.0 1986 448.0 186.0 634.0 1987 463.0 168.0 631.0 1988 472.0 156.0 628.0 1989 431.0 145.0 576.0 The budget for the current financial year (1989–90) makes provision for a total of 550 staff as at 31 March 1990.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if a decision has been taken on the appointment for the new director of the National Engineering Laboratory; and if he will make a statement on the appointment.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe post of director of the National Engineering Laboratory will be replaced by that of a chief executive in preparation for the laboratory becoming a next steps agency. No decision has yet been taken on the appointment of a chief executive. The Secretary of State has no statement about the appointment at this time.
§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister responsible for the National Engineering Laboratory last visited the establishment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAs Minister for Industry I visited the National Engineering Laboratory on 15 February 1990. Neither the Secretary of State nor I have a statement to make about the National Engineering Laboratory at this time.