§ 72. Mr. Peartasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what are his proposals for improving the position of British optical astronomy and radio astronomy by ensuring adequate resources and scientific personnel.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethBoth optical and radio astronomy in this country are being extensively re-equipped. The Isaac Newton 98 inch telescope, to be constructed for the Royal Greenwich Observatory, will provide additional research facilities for optical astronomers in this country; and a grant to the 35W Radcliffe Observatory in South Africa with its existing 74 inch telescope, and the merger of the Cape of Good Hope Observatory with the Royal Greenwich Observatory, will enable astronomers to have improved use of large optical telescopes in both hemispheres. In radio astronomy, radio telescopes have been constructed at Jodrell Bank and Cambridge, and the United Kingdom is in the forefront of scientific and technological advance. Training of astronomers is now provided at nine British Universities and summer vacation courses for students at the Royal Greenwich Observatory are attracting recruits to the profession.