§ Mr. PoundTo ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers have visited the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes since the inauguration in 1985.[16436]
§ Mr. BattleMy hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs visited the telescopes on 31 October. I am not aware of any other Ministerial visits to the telescopes since they were inaugurated.
§ Mr. PoundTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the amount of United Kingdom Government expenditure on the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.[16421]
§ Mr. BattleThe Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes is a joint venture between the UK and the Netherlands. In 1997–98, the Joint UK/Netherlands Budget was £2.247 million of which the UK provided 80 per cent. The UK also provided support for staff salaries, new instrumentation and research making the total UK contribution £5.533 million. The total UK contribution over the period from 1992–93 to 1996–97 was £26.134 million. Figures for previous years are not readily available.
52W