HC Deb 30 October 2000 vol 355 c304W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to(a) the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Programme and (b) the European Incoherent Scatter Radar Project, stating in each case the (i) nature, (ii) duration and (iii) purpose of the contribution, including how many staff were attached to the projects and what financial support was given; [134232]

(2) if he will list the ionospheric research projects in which his Department is involved, stating in each case (a) the number of personnel involved, (b) the duration of the project and (c) the yearly and total project cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement; [134233]

(3) what assessment his Department has made as to the environmental effects of ionospheric research; and if he will make a statement; [134234]

(4) if he will make a statement on his Department's contribution to the Scientific and Technological Options Assessment Panel's investigation into the local, global and public health risks of ionospheric research. [134236]

Mr. Mullin

The Department has had no involvement in ionospheric research and has not carried out or contributed to any assessments or investigations of possible environmental and public health effects. My understanding is that the Scientific and Technological Assessment Panel do not currently have a study on this topic.