§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [21947]
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§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe National Engineering Laboratory was privatised by trade sale in October 1995. The National Measurement Accreditation Service—NAMAS—formerly part of the National Physical Laboratory, was merged with the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies—NACCB—formerly part of the British Standards Institution, in August 1995 to form the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, which was established as a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. The National Maritime Institute—formerly part of the National Physical Laboratory--was also privatised as a company limited by guarantee in October 1982, changing its name to NMI Ltd. The operation of the National Physical Laboratory was contracted-out in October 1995. Negotiations are currently under way with a preferred bidder for a trade sale of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.
No research establishments which fall within the area of responsibility of the research councils for which DTI is responsible have been privatised since 1979. The plant breeding activities of the former plant breeding institute were privatised by trade sale in October 1987, but the establishment itself remains in the pubic sector as part of the Institute of Plant Science Research.
Commercially oriented research activity has formed. and will continue to form, part of the work of AEA Technology, which is also due to be privatised. This includes the rationalised activities of the Warren Spring Laboratory which were absorbed by AEA Technology in spring 1994.
In terms of those research establishments currently under review, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 26 January 1996, Official Report, columns 421–23. Each review will address the relationship of establishments to others working in similar or related fields and consider, among other things, the potential for privatisation or rationalisation.