§ 39. Mr. Stracheyasked the Minister of Aviation whether he will issue a White Paper on the development of Blue Streak as the first stage of a launching vehicle for civil space research, containing estimates of the cost of a solely British programme of civil space research and, alternatively, of a British contribution to an international programme, together with a statement of the Government's policy concerning the economic return of a telecommunications system based upon such a programme.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo, Sir. I would prefer to await the outcome of the continuing negotiations with Europe on cooperation in the development and exploitation of satellite launchers.
§ Mr. StracheyWould not the Minister agree that the time is rapidly approaching when he should take the House into his confidence on this whole matter? We are told now that the chances of a European programme with Blue Streak itself have diminished. We should like to know whether the Minister really thinks it wise to link the possibility of an international programme to Blue Streak as such, and whether it would not be better simply to invite co-operation on an international space programme without particular regard to the half-developed Blue Streak?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftTo do that would be to place a European Club at a very serious disadvantage, because the main advantage of a club would be to have all the "know-how" of the Blue Streak rocket, which is in an advanced stage of development, upon which to build. That is why I would suggest that at the moment these favourable terms which are offered should be considered and that we should get the answer to the Franco-British proposal before we announce anything else.
§ Mr. StracheyDoes it not appear that some of the nations—I have Germany in mind—are extremely suspicious—unjustifiably, I am sure—that the Government are trying to palm off Blue Streak on them? Is not this an obstacle to achieving any international programme, which surely is a prerequisite to successful development in this field?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI am sure that the right hon. Gentleman does not want to lend himself to any suggestion that we are trying to palm off anything on anybody. Indeed, after the German Chancellor's visit the other day it was announced in the Press communiqué that they were showing keen interest in this project. I think that we ought to await their reply.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhile I welcome European co-operation and congratulate my right hon. Friend upon his exertions to this end, might I ask whether he does not agree that, if necessary, we could proceed on a space programme within the Commonwealth making use of Blue Streak?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThere are many ways in which we could proceed making 1189 use of Blue Streak, but I think that on both sides of the House it is agreed that there are really substantial benefits in doing this as part of a European co-operative effort if we can do so. I would invite the support of the House on all sides; let me press forward with it at least up to the stage when we get the replies from the other European countries which we have now invited.
§ Mr. WarbeyCan the right hon. Gentleman say how much it has cost to keep this ill-starred project in being since the time when it was decided to cancel it as a military weapon?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe cost of maintaining the Blue Streak teams in being, which is, of course, essential if we are to go forward at all with this, is about £300.000 a month.