Ionospheric Research (Hansard, 31 October 2000)

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the environmental effects of ionospheric research; and if he will make a statement. [134230]

§ Dr. Moonie
[holding answer 30 October 2000]: My Department has undertaken no such assessment. However, we are not aware of any evidence that would point to significant environmental damage as a result of ionospheric research projects undertaken for the Department.

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [134235]

§ Dr. Moonie
[holding answer 30 October 2000]: My Department has not contributed to any investigation by the Scientific and Technological Options Assessments Panel of the European Parliament into the local, global and public health risks of ionospheric research.

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [134229]

§ Dr. Moonie
[holding answer 30 October 2000]: The table provides the information requested in respect of two ionospheric research projects. I am withholding information on other ionospheric research projects undertaken for the Department under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Access to Government Information.
343W

Ionospheric research projects funded by MOD

Title Number of staff Duration Year Cost £000

Development of Non-linear Solar Geophysical Prediction Techniques and an online demonstrator system 2.0 April 1998–March 2001 1998–99 120

1999–2000 120

¹2000–01 120

Total 360

Specification of Atmospheric and Ionospheric Refractivity using the COSMIC satellite constellation 1.25 October 1999–September 2002 1998–99 80

1999–2000 160

2000–01 150

2001–02 70

Total 460

¹Estimate

Ionospheric research projects funded by MOD
Title	Number of staff	Duration	Year	Cost £000
Development of Non-linear Solar Geophysical Prediction Techniques and an online demonstrator system	2.0	April 1998–March 2001	1998–99	120
			1999–2000	120
			¹2000–01	120
			Total	360
Specification of Atmospheric and Ionospheric Refractivity using the COSMIC satellite constellation	1.25	October 1999–September 2002	1998–99	80
			1999–2000	160
			2000–01	150
			2001–02	70
			Total	460
¹Estimate