HC Deb 25 March 1996 vol 274 c397W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which former public sector research establishments in his Department have been privatised since 1979; and which public sector research establishments in his Department are currently undergoing reviews with a view to placing them in the private sector. [21939]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Hydraulics Research Station was converted to an independent company limited by guarantee in 1982.

Prior options reviews of the Building Research Establishment and the Health and Safety Executive's health and safety laboratory have been undertaken and the recommendations of both reviews are being considered. The reviews have addressed the relationship of the establishments to others working in similar or related fields and, among other things, the potential for privatisation or rationalisation.