§ Mr. IngramTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many public sector research establishments there were in(a) 1979 and (b) at the last available date; and how many staff were employed. [5692]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorInformation on the total number of public sector research establishments is not centrally held. The 1994 efficiency scrutiny of public sector research establishments covered 50 civil establishments, employing around 31,000 staff. Of this total, six establishments have since been privatised—National Engineering Laboratory, AEA Technology, Laboratory of the Government Chemist, Transport Research Laboratory, Natural Resources Institute and National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Additionally, the National Physical Laboratory, while remaining Government owned, is now contractor operated. The remaining establishments, employing around 21,000 staff, are included under the current programme of prior options reviews; decisions on the future of each establishment are taken on a case-by-case basis. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced the timetable of the reviews on 26 January 1996 and the initial results on 22 May 1996.