Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Friday, 24 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 June 2002. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Monday, 10 June 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is to QinetiQ of its sponsorship of the QinetiQ I manned space balloon.

Answer: Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is to QinetiQ of its sponsorship of the QinetiQ I manned space balloon. [60614] Dr. Moonie: Although QinetiQ is currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, the sponsorship of the QinetiQ1 manned balloon altitude record attempt is a commercial activity undertaken by the company, and no defence funding is committed to this venture. For commercial reasons the company has chosen not to put the cost of their participation in QinetiQ1 into the public domain, and therefore I am withholding the information requested under Exemption 13 of the code of practice on access to government information, which relates to the maintenance of commercial confidences.

Secondary information