HC Deb 23 February 1982 vol 18 cc368-9W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his answer of 23 December 1981, Official Report, c. 415, he is satisfied that the equipment obtained by the South African authorities in consequence of contributions made to the South African astronomical observatory cannot be used for military purposes.

Mr. William Shelton

The Science and Engineering Research Council's subscription to the South African astronomical observatory is an annual contribution to the costs of operating the observatory's telescopes and of providing a support service for visiting astronomers, and is spent mainly on the salaries of observatory staff and associated recurrent costs. None of the equipment bought is of a military nature.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his answer of 23 December 1981, Official Report, c. 415, he will indicate the main purposes for which astronomers use the observatory telescopes of the South African astronomical observatory; whether these are confined to purely astronomical purposes; and to what extent, if any, satellite tracking is involved.

Mr. William Shelton

British astronomers use the South African astronomical observatory telescopes for observing objects within our galaxy and other galaxies, in particular our nearest galactic neighbours, the magellanic clouds, which cannot be observed from the northern Hemisphere. Such observations have a purely astronomical purpose. Satellite tracking was carried out for United Kingdom scientists as part of an international basic geophysical programme from 1971 until 1981. This work has now ceased.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to end the agreement under which United Kingdom astronomers use the South African astronomical observatory; and if he will take steps to reach an alternative agreement for a suitable astronomical site in the southern hemisphere in New Zealand or Australia.

Mr. William Shelton

The atmospheric conditions at the South African astronomical observatory site in Sutherland allow precise measurements of the brightness of astronomical objects. Those measurements are an essential complement to observations carried out elsewhere in the southern hemisphere. Atmospheric conditions in New Zealand or Australia are not suitable for this type of observation. The demand for observing time at SAAO is over subscribed by astronomers from British universities. The Science and Engineering Research Council has no plans to end the agreement which provides for the use of this facility by British astronomers, and my right hon. Friend does not intend to seek to persuade the council to do so.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, further to his answer fo 23 December 1981, Official Report, c. 415, he will list the areas covered by the agreement with South Africa in respect of the use by the United Kingdom of the South African astronomical observatory.

Mr. William Shelton

Under the agreement the functions of the South African astronomical observatory are limited to astronomy. For the United Kingdom, the objective is to allow United Kingdom university researchers to use the telescopes for pure science.