Space Research (Hansard, 13 March 1961)

§ 1. Mr. Strachey
asked the Minister of Aviation whether he has examined the possibility of co-operating with the United States authorities in the provision of launching vehicles for a joint programme of space research either in addition, or as an alternative, to co-operating with European Governments.

§ The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)
Yes, Sir. The United States authorities have already generously made the Scout satellite launcher available, and I have no doubt that cooperation in the field of space research will be carried still further in the years to come.

§ Mr. Strachey
Will the Minister tell the House how that interlocks with his programme of consultations with European Governments, and will he assure us that there is no conflict between cooperation with the European Governments and co-operation with the United States Government in this matter?

§ Mr. Thorneycroft
There is no conflict. As the right hon. Gentleman has a later Question which touches on this, perhaps he will await that reply.

§ 5. Mr. Strachey
asked the Minister of Aviation whether, in view of Herr Strauss's recent statements, he will reconsider the whole question of a space research programme anew without any attempt to make use of the work put into the Blue Streak project.

§ Mr. Thorneycroft
No, Sir. And I hope the right hon. Gentleman will not confuse the question of co-operation in pure space research with the separate but important question as to whether Europe should leave the manufacture of satellite launchers to America and Russia.

§ Mr. Strachey
Surely these two Questions are inextricably interlocked. As we understand it, the Minister has attempted to undertake a scheme of joint research on the basis of completing the Blue Streak project. Is he not aware that many of us think that this has turned out to be an error and that it would be far better simply to have a project of joint space research and if people wish to use the Blue Streak project, that is for them? But I cannot help thinking that the Minister is putting off his possible collaborators by his present procedure.

§ Mr. Thorneycroft
Most Questions are connected to some other Question, but these happen to be different. One is whether we should co-operate in space research—everybody agrees that we should. The other is and I agree that it could be answered either way—whether it would be right for Europe to say that in the West a complete monopoly should be left with the United States in the manufacture of satellite launchers, no matter what they were used for, whether space research or commercial purposes. This is a matter which I will not debate now, but we have discussed it on other occasions.