I have been in contact with a parliamentarian about this issue and what I have heard so far is a little disturbing, but NOT concrete information. Further information is pending, but the wheels of government are glacially slow, it seems.
There are a number of rumours around and I put no faith in any of them, at least, until I get official confirmation that they are correct.
This isn't the first time PO has been under threat, however, it never went the distance in removing all scientific staff before. In the late 80's they reduced the staff by about half, although don't quote me on that, as I don't have the exact number. I just knew that a lot of people who worked there then. I fear this all a bad omen.
What I find particularly disturbing is that the government hasn't had any 'flack ' over the cessation of science. In the late 80's when I fought hard in the war to save the observatory, there were a lot of people involved, of which I was but one. My feeling is there is a level of apathy from Joe Public this time around, who just don't care, as they have become immune to government machinations, over time.
We as amateurs have a vested interest and care. We can see the damage being caused, however, we are but a minority and our pleas are falling on deaf ears. At least, so far, my pleas are falling on deaf ears.
CALM (the department responsible for PO) probably just want to divest themselves of a problem child, before the proposed split up of CALM, that the government had announced before the election.
My main concern now is to fight for the retention of the historically important bibliographic collection and the photographic glass plate collection. To lose these important collections to private hands, or indeed discarded, would be criminal, in my view.
If or when I find out further information I will let you know.
Peter