§ 34. Mr. Gowerasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if, in view of recent developments in Russia and the United States of America, he will re consider the possibility of instituting an independent British space programme.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethDecisions on the nature and scale of our future space research effort must await the outcome of current discussions with other countries on the possible development of a satellite launcher based on Blue Streak
§ Mr. GowerWhile we must obviously consider carefully whether we can afford expenditure of this kind, should we not also consider whether we can afford not to have a space programme and lose possible by-products of research on this subject?
§ Mr. FreethWe have, in fact, a space programme, a programme of scientific research experiments intended to complement the efforts of other countries in this field.
§ Mr. FreethWe are at present in discussion with the German and other Governments concerned.