HC Deb 26 January 1949 vol 460 cc142-3W
113. Mr. Erroll

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain the reasons for the slow removal of the Royal Observatory from Greenwich to Hurstmonceux; and what steps he is taking to improve the organisation of the transfer, its speed, and the quality of the labour employed.

114. Mr. Hollis

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the serious threat to the scientific prestige of this nation through the delay in the starting of full scientific work in the reconstituted Royal Observatory at Hurstmonceux; and whether he will make a statement of the date at which that observatory will be in full work.

Mr. W. Edwards

The transfer of the Royal Observatory from Greenwich to Hurstmonceux is a big undertaking which must be carried out in well-defined and carefully thought-out stages acceptable to the Astronomer Royal. Moreover, the considerable new building work which is necessary at Hurstmonceux to house the Observatory and its establishments so that they may function properly has unfortunately had to be started at a time when the financial and building resources of the country are especially limited. There will be no avoidable delays, but I cannot, in these circumstances, give a forecast now of the date by which the transfer will be completed. I am informed that the labour employed is of good quality and that we are unlikely to improve on it.