Hawking criticizes research cuts

LONDON, June 15 (UPI) -- Stephen Hawking, a leading British scientist, has criticized the government for reduced research funding that could undercut England's standing.

In letters, Hawking accused government ministers of putting science at risk through basic "bookkeeping errors" that have led to a $156 million budget shortfall for scientific endeavors, The Sunday Times of London reported.

The budget gap could force some university physics departments to close, he said.

The budget problems were caused last year when ministers decided to merge the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, which funded most of Britain's physics research, the newspaper said.

The newly created Science and Technology Facilities Council had an immediate shortfall because of mistakes in calculating the running costs of new laboratories, threatening the jobs of 600 physicists and the closure of facilities such as the Jodrell Bank radio telescope. It could also force Britain to pull out of global projects such as the Gemini telescopes in Hawaii.

The newspaper also reported Sunday that Hawking turned down the offer of a knighthood more than a decade ago.

"Professor Hawking does not like titles. In fact he dislikes the whole concept of them," an unnamed spokesman said.