§ 40. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Technology if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number, and nature, of the research projects now being carried out in Atomic Energy Authority establishments which are neither directly or indirectly connected with atomic energy, the establishments in which this work is being carried out, the number of research workers involved and the likely cost in the current year; what are the percentage and amount of 154W the research and development effort going on atomic energy projects in the Atomic Energy Authority as distinct from other projects; and what plans for such research exist for the future.
§ Mr. CousinsYes.
List of non-atomic projects now being carried out by U.K.A.E.A.
I have required the Authority, under Section 4 of the Science and Technology Act, 1965, to carry out research on a number of projects as tabulated below. In addition to the projects listed, work on a number of minor projects has been authorised and certain preliminary studies are being undertaken some of which may lead to projects at a later stage.
The expenditure under Section 4 authorisations in the table below refers to the current year and is expected to expand to about twice the amount next year. Most of the Authority's establishments are involved; but those mainly concerned with individual projects are shown in the Table. The work on these projects is largely undertaken through the part-time services of staff who cover a wide range of skills, disciplines and technologies. In terms both of scientific effort and expenditure, Section 4 projects account in the current year for about one per cent. of the Authority's total effort on Civil Research and Development.
In addition, Aldermaston is undertaking non-atomic work, on repayment, for Government Departments, mainly in the defence field, to the amount of about £600,000 in the current year (50 man-years in terms of qualified staff).
Project Establishments mainly concerned Cost £'000 Desalination Winfrith 278 Culcheth Harwell Risley Hydrostatic Extrusion Springfields 54 Medical Centrifuge Capenhurst 15 Scientific Payload for ESRO satellite (design study) Culham 41 Aldermaston Other work Various 70 Total 458 Civil Nuclear Research and Development 47,900