§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council concerning the winding up of the Royal Observatory. [60101]
§ Mr. BattleMy noble Friend the Minister for Science meets the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) from time to time to discuss a range of issues. However, it is for the Council to determine the specific priorities for funding within a specific area.
PPARC decided to concentrate the work it funds at the RGO, which is based at Cambridge and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) in a new UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) at Edinburgh. This decision was a unanimous one by the Council of PPARC. It will allow PPARC to reorganise the Royal Observatories in the way which best meets their scientific requirements. A substantial amount of money, equivalent to 20 per cent. of the budget for astronomy, is being released as a result of this decision which will be reinvested in their scientific programmes.