HC Deb 27 April 1994 vol 242 cc165-6W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of employment in whole-time equivalents in each of his Department's laboratories and agencies in each of the last three years and at the latest available date.

Mr. Heseltine

The information requested is set out in the table.

Number of permanent staff (whole-time equivalent)
April 1991 April 1992 April 1993 April 1994
Accounts Services Agency 86 88.5 88.5 91
Companies House 1,081.5 1,093 983.5 967
Insolvency Service 1,483.5 1,549 1,572.5 1,600
Laboratory of the Government Chemist 340 330.5 313.5 301

April 1991 April 1992 April 1993 April 1994
National Engineering Laboratory 389 388.5 363.5 285.5
National Physical Laboratory 827.5 808 767.5 698.5
National Weights Measures Laboratory 42.5 47.5 48 43.5
Patent Office 1,194 1,037 1,009 954
Radiocommunications Agency 501.5 517 524.5 528
Warren Spring Laboratory 310 302.5 266.5 1*
1* Warren Spring Laboratory has now merged with the Atomic Energy Authority to form the National Environmental Technology Centre. Staff in post on 1 March 1994 was 203.5.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provisions he has made for the substantial restructuring costs indicated by his consultants' review of DTI research laboratories; and where that provision will be found in his Department's accounts.

Mr. Heseltine

Following the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 14 April,Official Report, columns 251–53, in respect of my Department's research laboratories, the process of restructuring the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, the National Engineering Laboratory and the National Physical Laboratory has now started. The financial provision that each laboratory will require for restructuring has yet to be finalised. The relevant sums will be published in my Department's Supply Estimates class IV vote 1 in due course.