HC Deb 07 November 1995 vol 265 cc747-8W
Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of the Building Research Establishment. [42245]

Mr. Gummer

The Building Research Establishment has made great strides in developing new services and improving operational efficiency since becoming an executive agency in 1990. It has played a central role in support of the Government's policy and executive responsibilities as they relate to construction and buildings. Government and other customers of BRE have a continuing need for access to the technical excellence and objectivity of judgment which BRE provides and which is much valued. I wish, however, to see BRE's expertise more directed towards stimulating innovation in construction and to helping industry improve its performance and competitiveness. I believe that closer links between BRE and industry will be achieved more effectively if BRE were in the private sector.

I therefore intend to commission consultants later this month to advise me on the relative advantages and disadvantages of the options for transferring BRE to the private sector. The consultants will be asked to take account of the need of the Government, industry and clients for construction research, advice and technical support which will be accepted as authoritative and independent of sectoral interests. The options examined will include the proposal from representatives of construction interests for a national centre for construction research and advice. Meanwhile, BRE will remain an executive agency of my Department under its present chief executive. I shall make a further statement when I have considered the consultants' report.