§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many persons are now employed at the Spadeadam Rocket Engine Research Establishment; what programmes are being carried out by the establishment; and if he will make a statement about its future use.
208W
§ Mr. OnslowThe number of staff currently employed at Spadeadam is 299. The establishment had been undertaking EUROPA II launcher work on behalf of the European Launcher Development Organisation (ELDO). The ELDO Council decided on 27th April 1973 not to continue with this programme, and activity at Spadeadam is, therefore, being run down and the staff progressively reduced over the period to 30th November 1973. No other programmes are being undertaken.
As to future use of the establishment, the Ministry of Defence decided in mid-1971 that its Proof and Experimental Establishment (P&EE) would transfer certain static test facilities from Shoeburyness to Spadeadam. These new activities at the establishment will not begin till June 1974 and will not be fully operational till 1976.