Page 197 - Neutrons for Sciences and Society

higher, is estimated as €18M. Supporting the reconstruction
of the reactor on the normal budget of the institute required a rigorous savings plan with a reduction of secretaries, and loss of the ILL’s cars and drivers. To amass the funding from only the budgets of 1992 and 1993 the plan had to be even more stringent than that needed when the British announced a reduction in their participation (see later).
A significant reduction in staff costs was essential. Staff numbers fell from 483 in 1991 to 469 in 1992, 420 in 1993 to finish at 377 in 1994. To achieve this restructuring, early retirement at the age of 55 was offered under the auspices of the FNE, the National Employment Fund. This happened at a time when it was the policy of the French Government to encourage early departures. These measures were discussed with staff representatives
and were imposed on all those who met the age criteria. The conditions were good and were mostly well accepted by those concerned. Some scientists suffered badly on being laid off work that was their main reason for living. Fortunately the management made one or two exceptions where there were special needs
and there was the pressure from the scientists wanting to keep
a colleague109. More new recruits were to enter the ILL (13 in 1992 and 7 in 1993). This brought younger people to the ILL (who were both cheaper and had new ideas). Other measures such as part-time working, and detachment to other institutes were also encouraged (saving about FF 7.8M in 1993). Some technical skills, notably in electronics were lost and were slow to be relearnt. Inevitably the budget restrictions prevented desirable modifications being made to the instruments. The restart of the scientific operations was difficult due to the lack of personnel.
109 Jane Brown, an eminent British crystallographer, was one such case who was able to remain; after retirement she later stayed on at the ILL as a UK visiting scientist until 2011.
Chapter 8 - The Dark Years
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