Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 November 1998. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 November 1998 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, which body will have responsibility for the former buildings and remaining equipment on the site of the former Royal Observatory at Greenwich following its removal to Herstmonceux Castle.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which body will have responsibility for the former buildings and remaining equipment on the site of the former Royal Observatory at Greenwich following its removal to Herstmonceux Castle. [60102] Mr. Battle: The National Maritime Museum became responsible for the former Royal Observatory buildings at Greenwich and for much of the historically important scientific equipment they housed, following the removal to Herstmonceux Castle in 1948 of the Royal Greenwich Observatory with its continuing scientific programme. The Royal Greenwich Observatory moved from Herstmonceux to Cambridge in 1990 and ceased operating there at the end of October 1998 with the transfer of the major elements of its scientific programme and associated equipment to other institutions, including the new Astronomy Technology Centre at Edinburgh, the telescope facilities on the island of La Palma, the University of Cambridge, the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils and the National Maritime Museum. The RGO's remaining historical artefacts have also been returned to Greenwich.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c532W; 60102
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Property transfer Astronomy Royal Observatory Greenwich National Maritime Museum