Transport Research Laboratory (Hansard, 25 April 1994)

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans he has in the event of there being no purchasers for the Transport Research Laboratory.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend sees no need for contingency plans. The Government would not have decided to transfer the Transport Research Laboratory to the private sector if we did not believe that that could be achieved.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will guarantee future work from his Department for the Transport Research Laboratory during and after its privatisation.

§ Mr. Key
In 1994–95 not less than 40 per cent. by value of new surface transport research work commissioned by the Department of Transport will be guaranteed to the Transport Research Laboratory. The question of guaranteeing work for the Transport Research Laboratory after privatisation is a matter for consideration with our financial advisers and prospective bidders as part of the sale process.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that the service conditions of the Transport Research Laboratory staff are not adversely affected in the long term following privatisation.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend has undertaken to sell the Transport Research Laboratory only to reputable purchasers, who can demonstrate an ability to meet obligations to staff transferring to the new organisation.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of the statement he made regarding future privatisation plans of the Transport Research Laboratory at the time of the setting up of the Transport Research Laboratory agency.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend made no statement about future privatisation plans for the Transport Research Laboratory at the time of launching it as an executive agency.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what procedure he proposes to introduce in respect of the transfer of intellectual property rights from the Transport Research Laboratory to the potential purchaser; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what measures he proposes to ensure that collaborative research at the Transport Research Laboratory is not damaged by privatisation;
(3) if he will take steps to guarantee the future availability of the (a) research track, (b) pavement test, (c) driving simulator, (d) library and (e) crash test facilities currently at the Transport Research Laboratory, Crowthorne.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend will be considering those matters with his financial and other advisers as part of the process of transferring the Transport Research Laboratory to the private sector.
44W

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of fragmentation of the Transport Research Laboratory research undertakings; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend has considered carefully the advice of the consultants KPMG Peat Marwick on the options for privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory, including fragmentation. The Government have not yet decided on the form of sale but the current aim is to seek bids for the whole of the laboratory rather than its constituent components.