§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans for changes in the ownership or organisation of the rocket motor defence establishment, Waltham Abbey.
§ Mr. PattieAmong the tasks undertaken at the Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment, Waltham Abbey are research, design and development on propellants for rocket motors, and on propellants and explosives in support of the Royal ordnance factories.
The rocket motor work is closely linked to rocket motor activities undertaken at PERME Westcott. As recommended in the Strathcona report, the Government are in discussion with industry about the possibility of a more industrially based organisation for rocket motors. No final decisions have been made.
As regards work at Waltham Abbey in support of the ROFs, the Secretary of State announced—[Vol. 24, c. 151]—on 20 May that relevant MOD design and development capabilities would be transferred to ROF control. The detailed arrangements for this are now being considered and certain capabilities at Waltham Abbey are likely to be included, but there is nothing more definite that I can say at present.