§ 40. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will propose to President Kennedy at his forthcoming meeting that there should be full co-operation, on a fifty-fifty basis, financially and otherwise, between Great Britain and the United States of America over any communications satellite system initiated by the United States of America, which involved communications between Great Britain and the Commonwealth.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I have nothing to add at 1181 present to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member on 31st January.
§ Mr. WyattHow can we persuade the Prime Minister to take seriously this matter which is so vital to the future of a large part of British industry? Does not he realise that two American companies have already proposed a scheme of federal communications for a satellite system which would make about £1,000 million profit a year? As this will go over British territory, will not we be the losers if we do not have a share? May not we lose our pre-eminent place in international communications if the Government do not act soon?
§ The Prime MinisterThere are two parts to the Question. The first concerns my possible visit to the United States, to which I can only repeat that I cannot yet make a statement. The other refers to a particular question which the hon. Member wishes me to take up. We are studying this matter closely with our American friends. A United Kingdom team visited the United States in October, and we expect the American team to visit us in the middle of this month for an exchange of views on the technical matters concerned.
§ Mr. Farey-JonesIn view of the urgent necessity for a co-ordinated space satellite programme within the Commonwealth, will my right hon. Friend agree to put this subject high on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers?
§ The Prime MinisterI will bear that point in mind.