§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science to what extent British engineers and scientists have assisted in the design and construction of the joint United Kingdom and United States of America space vehicle tracking station at Winkfield; what was the cost of the site and station; and what proportion of the cost each country bore.
§ Mr. FreethThe main building and equipment at the Winkfield Station, of a total value of about £250,000, were supplied on loan by the U.S. Government ready for assembly. Assembly and installation was carried out jointly by U.S. engineers and technicians, and staff of the Radio Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The U.S. Government have also provided without charge a teleprinter link between the station and the Goddard Space Flight Centre of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The site, approximately 5 acres, was leased by the Ministry of Works, who also surveyed and defined (in collaboration with the Ordnance Survey Office) the location of the aerials; erected the buildings, and provided the sub-aerial structures, roads and other site services at a cost of just under £30,000.