§ 27. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Aviation if he can now state what decision has been made about the future of Blue Streak in connection with a space research programme.
§ Mr. SandysI cannot at present add to what I said on 2nd May.
§ Mr. ChetwyndAs time is pressing, may I ask the Minister when he thinks he will be able to make a final announcement on this very important matter? Is there not a real danger that highly skilled design and constructional teams will begin to disintegrate unless an early decision is made?
§ Mr. SandysYes; an early decision will be made. I hope, although I cannot promise, that it will be possible to make an announcement before the House rises. As to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, I have no evidence to show that these important design teams are in fact splitting up or disintegrating. They are awaiting a 20 decision, which I am sure will not be very long delayed.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he said the other day that the Government ought to enter this space race? Could he tell us what is meant by a Cabinet Minister saying that the Government ought to do that when the Government have not made a decision, which was a very strange kind of statement to make? Will he take the House a little more into his confidence after that revelation?
§ Mr. SandysIt would have been a very strange statement if I had made it.