§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the inclusive cost of the whole Oakhanger Satellite Tracking Station complex when complete.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe whole complex is expected to include terminals for American and N.A.T.O. satellite communications projects as well as the U.K. terminal and control centre for the British military satellite communications project known as Skynet. An estimate of the inclusive cost is not, therefore, available.
§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he proposes to spend £1.,000,000 on the Skynet Military Satellite System to be erected adjacent to Hartleywood Farm, Oakhanger, for military communications with British forces in the Middle and Far East, when these forces are to be withdrawn within the next three years.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOakhanger is intended to be the U.K. terminal for the Skynet Satellite System. Like a number of other projects, this project is being looked at again in the context of our revised defence policy before the requirement is confirmed.
§ Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work on the new satellite tracking station at Oakhanger to begin; and when he anticipates it will be complete.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is expected, subject to review, that work on the Skynet terminal will begin in the next few months and be completed about July, 1969.