Transport Research Laboratory (Hansard, 19 May 1994)

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he received from the trade unions regarding the future structure of the Transport Research Laboratory; when he met them prior to his announcement on 30 March regarding privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory; and what consideration he has given to the proposals received.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend and I met the trade unions on 22 March having previously received representations from them about the plans for privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory. The representations included a proposal that the Laboratory should remain in the public sector, but with its non-Government work separately accounted for in a commercial subsidiary. We gave careful consideration to the proposal before concluding that it was not practicable or in the best interests of the laboratory's future.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the representations his Department has received on the subject of privatising the Transport Research Laboratory(a) in the three years before the announcement in May 1992 of his wish to privatise the Transport Research Laboratory and (b) since that date; and if he will give the number in categories (a) and (b) which (i) oppose privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory, (ii) express worries about privatisation and (iii) support privatisation.

§ Mr. Key
My right hon. Friend and I have, since the announcement in May 1993 that the Transport Research Laboratory could, in principle, be privatised, received 28 representations on this subject from organisations and individuals representing the motor transport industry, 549W academic institutions, staff and other groups. We have also received correspondence from 50 right hon. and hon. Members. No representations were received on this subject prior to the announcement in May 1993.
The representations received do not lend themselves to the categorisation requested by the hon. Member. A variety of views were expressed for and against privatisation. The majority of representations came from those who have concerns about aspects of the proposed sale of the laboratory.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what written communication from his Department was sent to the departmental trade union side during the three months prior to the setting up of the Transport Research Laboratory Agency regarding the drafting of the framework document; what reference was made to decisions by Ministers regarding the privatisation of the laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Key
My Department wrote to the trade unions about various aspects of the Transport Research Laboratory framework document, including consultation arrangements with the trade unions, equal opportunites, health and safety and procurement. The Department also reported on my right hon. Friend's consideration of the option of privatisation and the conclusion then reached that the laboratory should be retained as an agency subject to the future re-examination of all options.