§ 42. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Prime Minister how the responsibility for formulating policy in regard to space satellites is allocated between Departments.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
General supervision of Government policy on space research is exercised by my noble Friend, the Lord Privy Seal and the Minister for Science, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation and other Ministers concerned.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIn view of the very urgent need for this country to get ahead with its own independent space programme, is not there a very strong case now for the policy-making and the carrying out of the policies to be centralised in one Department, as there is strong evidence of delay and overlapping between the Departments concerned?
§ Mr. ButlerA Committee has been set up within the Government to co-ordinate and bring together the policies of space research. This is under the chairmanship of Sir Edward Bullard, F.R.S., and consists of eminent scientists and representatives of the Departments concerned. I do not think that the matter will fall down in the way that the hon. Gentleman fears.