HC Deb 21 March 1969 vol 780 cc159-60W
Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to public funds of the Meteorological Office in the current year; and if he will give separately details including cost and numbers of qualified scientists and engineers employed by each of the research and development establishments connected with the Meteorological Office.

Mr. Reynolds

The net annual cost to the Exchequer of the Meteorological Office, including common services (such as headquarters accommodation) and payments by other Government Departments for meteorological services is currently about £8.3 million. The number of Scientific Officer class staff employed in research and instrument development is 73. Their deployment and cost (including salaries, National Insurance, Graduated Pension contributions and Selective Employment Tax) are as follows:

Approx cost.
£
Bracknell Headquarters 60 189,000
Cambridge Research Unit 1 3,400
Cardington, Meteorological Office 2 3,700
Farnborough, Meteorological Re search Flight 4 11,500
Kew Observatory 1 3,400
Lerwick Observatory 1 3,400
Malvern, Royal Radar Establishment 3 7,100
Porton, Chemical Defence and Experimental Establishment 1 3,400

Engineer grades are not employed at these offices.

Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those services for which the Meteorological Office makes a charge; what was the total revenue from such charges during each of the last five years; and what is the estimated revenue during each of the next five years.

Mr. Reynolds

Over the last five years the Meteorological Office has obtained revenue as follows for the services specified:

  1. (a) Recoveries for staff employed on meteorological services for other Government 160 Departments etc.—mainly the Board of Trade which pays for civil aviation services;
  2. (b) Contributions from the Board of Trade and the International Civil Aviation Organisation towards the cost of ocean weather ships;
  3. (c) Charges for special meteorological services, mainly to non-Exchequer customers, which involve additional work, and for training of overseas meteorologists and other miscellaneous items;
  4. (d) Provision of meteorological equipment for other Governments and other Government Departments.

£ Million
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67
1.66 1.76 1.82
1967–68 1968–69 (est.)
1.94 2.09

Estimated revenue for 1969–70 is over £2 million. Estimates for future years are not available, but revenue is expected to rise.

I am sending the hon. Member a leaflet describing the services at (c) above in more detail.