§ 1. Mr. Straussasked the Minister of Aviation whether he can now state the outcome of his discussions with other Governments over the launching of a point space research programme;
§ 12. Mr. Donnellyasked the Minister of Aviation when he anticipates that he will be in a position to make a further statement regarding the progress he is making towards a British research programme into outer space.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)My right hon. Friend is in Paris for discussions with the French Government about a satellite launcher based on Blue Streak, and at present I am unable to add to the answer he gave to the hon. Members for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) and Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 7th November.
I am glad to inform the House, however, on behalf of my noble Friend the Minister for Science that recent negotiations in Geneva led to the signature, by ten countries including the United Kingdom, of an agreement setting up a Preparatory Commission to study the possibility of establishing a European organisation for co-operation in space research. The Geneva Conference expressed the hope that the 3 Preparatory Commission would consider the closest possible co-operation between any organisation which might later be formed for space research in Europe, and any collaborative organisation between European States for the development of a launcher.
§ Mr. StraussCan the Minister tell us why there is this further delay before a decision is reached in regard to a launcher? Is he aware that consideration of this problem by the Government has been going on for eighteen months and that in November this year the Minister said:
I certainly think we ought to make up our minds before the end of the year what the answer should be". [OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th December, 1960; Vol 501, c. 649.]He appears to be in a stage of further discussion.Further, is it a fact that the European Space Research Agency has rejected the proposal for using Blue Streak as a launcher?
§ Mr. RipponThere is no further delay. It is the same delay. This is very much a long-term project. We are looking very far, into the second half of the century, and it is best not to be impatient. As I have indicated, the Geneva Conference has asked for the closest possible co-operation between any organisation which may later be set up and any European countries which might collaborate in developing a launcher.
§ Mr. PeartThe hon. Gentleman has spoken of plans for a European organisation. What about the Commonwealth? Why not also a Commonwealth space agency?
§ Mr. RipponAs has been made clear from the outset, we shall keep in close touch with the Commonwealth. We shall keep in particularly close touch with the Australians, who have been our partners throughout. They certainly have a direct interest.