The future of Jodrell Bank, the radio astronomy observatory, is secure, according to science minister Lord Sainsbury.
He insisted that there were no plans to close it as part of cost-cutting measures, which would be required to balance budgets if the United Kingdom sought membership of the European Southern Observatory.
Lord Sainsbury said: "No decision has been taken by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council about joining ESO. However, if we did join, then Jodrell Bank's radio frequency capability would complement the ESO's optical and infrared telescopes."