§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the deployment of work between the military research airfields in this country.
§ Mr. Stonehouse:Military research which involves flying is deployed among Ministry of Technology establishments according to their function. The Royal Aircraft Establishment, for example, at Farnborough, Hants, and Bedford is mainly concerned with research and experimentation in support of aerospace projects; the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, Wilts., undertakes the proving and acceptance testing of military aircraft systems; and the Royal Radar Establishment at Malvern conducts investigations in the field of radar and electronics. Development of miltary equipments is generally contracted to industry.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology how many men are employed at each of the military research airfields in this country.
§ Mr. Stonehouse:The following numbers are employed at the airfields 309W attached to Ministry of Technology Establishments engaged on military research and development:—
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment 970 Royal Aircraft Establishment 1180 Royal Radar Establishment 420 The activity of these Establishments is not exclusively military in character. Military research and development is also carried out at contractors' airfields, but information is not available as to the numbers of staff they employ at their airfields on this work.