HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc223-4W
Mr. Lansley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the income from work carried out under contract at the Royal Greenwich observatory; if this is taken into account in the projected savings resulting from its closure; and if she will make a statement. [11077]

Mr. Battle

The expected income from work carried out under contract by the Royal Greenwich observatory in 1997–98 is £1.97 million. Expected income in the period 1998–99 to 2001–02 was evaluated and taken into account when the long-term benefit to the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council's programme of restructuring and co-location was determined.

Mr. Lansley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the full costs of redundancy payments resulting from the closure of the Royal Greenwich observatory. [11078]

Mr. Battle

The Particle Physics and. Astronomy Research Council's report "Future Management of the Observatories" estimated redundancy costs of £5.085 million arising from the restructuring of the royal observatories. The PPARC has indicated that it will minimise redundancies wherever possible.

Mr. Lansley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received regarding(a) the conducting of a full market test of the Royal Greenwich observatory and (b) the consideration of a management-led buy-out of the Royal Greenwich observatory; and if she will make a statement. [11299]

Mr. Battle

I have received one representation supporting a market test of the Royal Greenwich observatory and representations from three sources supporting a management-led buy-out. The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council has made clear its interest in seeing any proposals which the current RGO management might wish to bring forward for continuing and developing much of the work currently undertaken at the RGO which will not be transferred to the new astronomy technology centre.