HC Deb 29 May 1957 vol 571 cc405-6
48. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Minister of Defence how far the joint requirements of the three Services are met by research, development and repair work of the Admiralty Compass Observatory and the experimental stations at Ditton Park.

Mr. Sandys

The Admiralty Compass Observatory meets most of the requirements of the Royal Navy for the design, development, inspection, testing and repair of compasses and certain other instruments. It also meets those requirements of the other Services that it can suitably undertake. The Radio Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Ditton Park provides basic information in this field.

Mr. Brockway

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that valuable information, in view of the plea in the Defence White Paper that there should be co-ordination for the Services, will he oppose any proposal that the Admiralty Compass Observatory should be closed?

Mr. Sandys

I do not quite understand the connection between those remarks. There is no present intention to close the establishment.

Mr. Brockway

Thank you.