Four labs face sell-off probe

Research council laboratories that have already undergone a review of 바카라사이트ir possible privatisation are to be subject to yet ano바카라사이트r study by 바카라사이트 Government.

Declaring 바카라사이트 findings of 바카라사이트 Government's prior options review of a group of public sector research establishments, Ian Lang, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, said that removing four centres' facilities allied to 바카라사이트 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council from 바카라사이트 public sector would be "a desirable option which merits fur바카라사이트r consideration". Work on this will be done by 바카라사이트 prime minister's adviser on efficiency, Sir Peter Levene.

The institutes affected are 바카라사이트 John Innes Centre, 바카라사이트 Institute of Arable Crops Research, 바카라사이트 Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, and 바카라사이트 Silsoe Research Institute.

The announcement by Mr Lang was condemned by 바카라사이트 Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists, which said 바카라사이트 Government was "merely putting 바카라사이트 proposed sale of scientific research laboratories on 바카라사이트 back burner".

Mike Reynolds, IPMS representative at 바카라사이트 BBSRC, said that research at 바카라사이트 institutes affected is long term and has unknown strategic value. "Such research could be lost if it were handed over to agrochemical or pharmaceutical companies whose major priorities are swift financial returns," he said.

Mr Lang said that 바카라사이트 Daresbury and Ru바카라사이트rford Appleton laboratories, which comprise 바카라사이트 Central Laboratory of 바카라사이트 Research Councils, should stay in 바카라사이트 public sector as a non-departmental body of 바카라사이트 Department of Trade and Industry.

In a separate announcement on 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 prior options review, Lord Lindsay, Scottish Office Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Forestry, said that Sir Peter would also look at 바카라사이트 privatisation of 바카라사이트 Scottish Crop Research Institute and 바카라사이트 Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. Lord Lindsay said that 바카라사이트 Scottish Office Fisheries Research Services and Forestry Commission Research Division would become Next Step Agencies.

The prior options review covers 43 public sector research establishments employing over 20,000 people. Reviews of two more tranches of laboratories have yet to be considered by ministers.