HC Deb 15 July 1997 vol 298 c139W
Mr. Lansley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the savings expected to be made as a result of the closure of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. [7588]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 10 July 1997]: The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council's proposals to restructure and co-locate its operations will lead to savings of at least £3 million per annum in salary costs full details are set out in Annex E of PPARC's report "The Future Management of the Royal Observatories", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. In addition, approximately £1 million per annum savings will be made in overhead costs.

Mr. Lansley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the market value of the Royal Greenwich Observatory at Cambridge. [7589]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 10 July 1997]: The value of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council's assets is routinely recorded for accounting purposes but because of the uncertain effect of restrictions in the lease, a true market value for the RGO could be established only by a full market test.