Royal Observatories (Hansard, 4 July 1997)

§ Mr. Battle

The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) has decided to concentrate the work it funds at the Royal Greenwich Observatory (RGO), which is based at Cambridge, and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) in a new UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) at Edinburgh. This new name will better reflect the fact that the Royal Observatories are now really observatories in name only. Their main function is to provide technological support for the telescopes operated by PPARC on behalf of British astronomers.

A substantial amount of money will be freed up as a result of this decision amounting to £2.4 million per annum over the next four years and at least £4 million per annum thereafter. This sum, which is equivalent to approximately 20 per cent. of the budget for astronomy grants, will be re-invested in basic science. It will fund grants to astronomers doing exciting new science in our universities. In addition, I am confident the new UKATC will benefit greatly from the increased efficiency and better co-operation between scientists which will result from combining the RGO and ROE programmes.

This decision will allow PPARC to reorganise the Royal Observatories in the way which best meets their scientific requirements. I believe that, as the responsible Research Council, they should have the freedom to manage their research facilities efficiently and effectively. PPARC will develop this in consultation with the unions and other interested parties. Under the previous 298W administration, PPARC was bound to implement the conclusions of the 1995 Prior Options Review of the Royal Observatories that the management of the United Kingdom telescopes and the delivery of the instrumentation programme currently provided by the Royal Observatories should be subject to competitive tendering. PPARC have reviewed the situation in the light of developments since then and have advised me to release them from this obligation. I have decided to follow this advice in line with our long-standing opposition to dogmatic privatisation.

The concentration at Edinburgh will take place over some years. The RGO is an historic institution with a great tradition that has already survived two changes of location. I am asking PPARC to explore every possible avenue for keeping the institution alive. Nevertheless, this decision will lead to some job losses. Therefore I have asked PPARC to make every effort to help anyone who loses their job to find alternative employment.

I have laid a copy of the report on which PPARC's advice was based and a copy of my letter to the Chairman of PPARC in the Library of the House.