§ 27. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for a British military satellite communications system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MillanMy right hon. Friend has recently signed an agreement with the United States Secretary of Defense under which British ground terminals will take part in an experimental defence communications satellite system which the Americans are to establish this year. As part of our study of long-term policy we hope to start discussions with the Americans shortly on the possibility of British participation in a subsequent operational system.
§ Mr. MartenThis is only British participation in an American project. Are we not to have a national space programme with a launcher and satellite communications for our own defence purposes?
§ Mr. MillanThis experiment will give us a considerable amount of technical knowledge which we require. Work on Black Arrow is also proceeding at the moment.
§ Mr. MikardoIn my hon. Friend's explanation about participation with the Americans is there any ideological content in the word "satellite"?
§ Mr. MillanNone at all—neither in this nor in any other context so far as co-operation with the United States is concerned.
§ Sir J. EdenThe Under-Secretary of State's original answer was not, in its essentials, any different from the answer given by his right hon. Friend on 31st July last year. Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, in the meantime, any programme at all has taken place in conjunction with the United States in the experimental military communications satellite system?
§ Mr. MillanMy Answer demonstrates the progress that has taken place, for the agreement to which I referred was signed in November 1965, which was later than the answer given by my right hon. Friend.