European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2009

I thank noble Lords for their broad support for the project and the questions that they have posed. Why is the order required? It is because the UK, in acceding to the convention established for this organisation, is to abide by the terms of the instruments of the ESO including the international protocols signed by the organisation with other member states. There are 14 member states: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. On the noble Lord’s detailed questions on budgets, I have given the information for 2008 on the UK’s total spend. On the other, quite legitimate, points he raised, it will be easier for me to write to him, if that is satisfactory, and set out the answers in some detail. I was asked what the status is of ESO officials and whether they are exempt from UK income tax. That is unlikely to be an issue, given that the ESO’s headquarters will not be in the United Kingdom. However, the order provides for exemptions which presumably apply also to citizens from overseas working in either Chile or Germany. I do not think that we have information on how many personnel there are, but we will seek the most up-to-date information and provide it. How will the order affect the United Kingdom? It is unlikely to have many implications for the UK because the organisation’s headquarters are in Germany and it operates in the southern hemisphere. However, if the ESO were to hold a meeting in the UK, as it did in 2002, representatives of the states parties and officials of the organisation would enjoy the privileges and immunities entered into in our acceptance of this order. I hope that that is sufficient to allow noble Lords to continue their support of this draft order and I will get back with the detailed answers that have been requested. Motion agreed.