HC Deb 09 July 1962 vol 662 cc950-1
11. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of Aviation what further consideration he has given to Britain's contribution, financial or otherwise, to the launching of a space vehicle.

Mr. Woodhouse

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. D. Price) on 16th April, when he stated that certain countries, including the United Kingdom, had signed the Convention for the European Launcher Development Organisation. A copy of that document has since been published as Cmnd. 1731. The Organisation's launcher will be available for the launching of space vehicles for various purposes and the document referred to shows what the United Kingdom's contribution will be.

Mr. Cronin

Is it not the case that we are contributing £120 million to the £170 million which will be the total cost of the European space vehicle? It will not be launched until 1966 at the earliest, and we share this cost with six other nations. Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the French Government announced that France will launch an entirely French space vehicle in 1965 and that its cost will be less than the cost that we already contribute and which we share with six other countries?

Mr. Woodhouse

I think that the hon. Gentleman had the figure which he quoted a little wrong. The initial programme of E.L.D.O. is estimated to cost £70 million over five years and not £120 million, and our contribution to that is one-third or possibly a little more.

Mr. Cronin

While I entirely agree with the figures which the hon. Gentleman has given, has he completely forgotten that we contributed to Blue Streak, which has cost £90 million already, which brings the total up to £160 million?