HC Deb 29 January 1968 vol 757 cc867-9
24 and 25. Sir H. Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what savings will be obtained in the budget of the Rocket Propulsion Establishment, as a result of the planned cuts in its expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70;

(2) what savings will be obtained in the budget of the National Gas Turbine Establishment, as a result of the planned cuts in its expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70.

27. Mr. Weatherill

asked the Minister of Technology what saving will be obtained in the budget of the Royal Radar Establishment as a result of the planned cuts in its expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70.

28. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of Technology what savings will be obtained in the budget of the Royal Aircraft Establishment as a result of the planned cuts in its expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70.

29. Mr. Lane

asked the Minister of Technology what savings will be obtained in the budget of the Signals Research and Development Establishment, as a result of the planned cuts in its expenditure during the years 1968–69 and 1969–70.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Technology (Mr. John Stonehouse)

The final details of the savings to be effected at the aerospace research and development establishments are still being worked out. The savings for the establishments as a whole will be reflected in the Estimates when they are published.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his reply hardly ties in with paragraph 48 of the Prime Minister's statement on 16th January or with the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer the following day when it was indicated that the Departments concerned had been asked to work out in detail what the cuts should be? Are we to understand that nothing has been decided?

Mr. Stonehouse

What I have said is fully consistent with what has already been said in the House. These cuts are being worked out. It would be quite wrong to impose them without having regard to the fullest value which can be attained from our research establishments. This is what we are now doing.

Mr. Lane

Can the hon. Gentleman give no indication at all of some of the major projects covered by these Questions which may have to be deferred?

Mr. Stonehouse

We are awaiting the exact requirements of the Ministry of Defence following the defence cuts. We will work out with the Ministry of Defence what requirements it has, but we hope that the major part of the civil work which we are doing in our establishments will be maintained.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is it not true that half the country's scientific research will still be devoted to military ends, and that many Labour Members of Parliament want far bigger cuts to be made in this direction so that this scientific brain power can be devoted to productive purposes?

Mr. Stonehouse

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend's percentages. In fact, we are increasing the amount of money spent on civil research in relation to defence research expenditure.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that in paragraph 48 of the Prime Minister's statement on 16th January it was indicated that there would be a cut of approximately £13 million in this current financial year. Would the hon. Gentleman say how this is to be related to the repeated insistence by the Minister of Technology that we should encourage a European ethnological community, bearing in mind:he importance of E.S.R.O. and E.L.D.O. n dealing with rockets?

Mr. Stonehouse

My right hon. Friend is at Strasbourg today emphasising this important theme, and certainly we shall have this very much in mind in the work we will be doing in our establishments. A very significant cut will be announced, and there will be staff reductions as well, but we want the valuable long-term work of our establishments to be retained.