HC Deb 19 July 1972 vol 841 cc136-7W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has regarding the security and continuity of employment of the 1,500 technicians, operatives and staff at the Royal Aeronautical Establishment, Thurleigh.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

There are no present plans which would significantly affect the level of employment at RAE Thurleigh. I cannot, of course, at this time, anticipate the outcome of the wider rationalisation studies on Research and Development establishments.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the state of construction reached with the second set of wind tunnels at Farnborough, Hampshire; when tenders were invited; and how this set compares with those already operating at Thurleigh.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

One new five-metre wind tunnel is being built at Farnborough for which the main contract was negotiated in early 1970. Nearly a quarter of the construction has been completed. The new wind tunnel will complement the existing wind tunnel complex which is located at Farnborough and Bedford.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the general character of work now being undertaken at the Royal Aeronautical Establishments at Thurleigh and Cardington, and the number of people employed thereon.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

RAE Bedford is engaged on aerospace research and development including the all-weather operation of aircraft, studies into the flying characteristics of advanced shapes, and also novel flight and naval aircraft catapult and arrest systems. RAE Cardington is engaged on fabric engineering and operates balloons for various purposes. It is not the practice to give details of staff numbers.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will specify the cost of maintaining the establishment at Thurleigh, the value of work at present being undertaken for private companies and the total value of work or orders on hand.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

It is not the practice to give information on the costs of maintaining individual establishments. The value of work undertaken in the current year for private companies, including receipts for the use of airfield facilities for airline training, is expected to total about £200,000.