HC Deb 11 May 1966 vol 728 cc383-5
12. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the European Launcher Development Organisation meeting held in Paris during the last week of April.

29. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement on the progress of the European Launcher Development Organisation.

32. Sir J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Aviation what transpired at the recent European Launcher Development Organisation meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mulley

As I informed the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 4th May, after a thorough exchange of views with our partners on the problems facing E.L.D.O., the conference was adjourned until 9th June to allow time for further studies.

Mr. Marten

In that reply the Minister referred to a study of user requirements being done between now and 9th July. Does that mean possible satellite communications? If so, why are the Government to come to some arrangement with America to use American satellite communications for defence purposes?

Mr. Mulley

The hon. Member should know, as he was a member of the Government responsible at the time, that E.L.D.O. is by its convention and charter permitted only to engage in civil activities, so that the question of whether its launchers could be used for civil defence does not arise. The use of satellite communications is one of the uses which not only we but other countries have raised as needing further study before further decisions can be taken on 9th June.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

May we take it from the reply that Her Majesty' Government have no intention of abandoning this project and are fully determined to press on in this sphere either with Europe, on a national basis, or both?

Mr. Mulley

I do not see how it would further the cause of E.L.D.O. by pressing on on a national basis. The British Government, along with other Governments, want more information about the technical feasibility both of the E.L.D.O. programme and its possible use and the total cost involved before coming to any decisions about the future programme of E.L.D.O. This was by agreement the reason for the adjournment of the conference.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of my hon. Friends hope that the Government will approach this matter with a great deal of caution so that we do not get too much involved in heavy expenditure on this project but approach it by way of getting better relations between Russia and America in relations to launcher developments?

Mr. Mulley

I shall be interested in any suggestions as to how we can improve relations both with the Soviet Union and the United States in this field, but we are members of the Organisation and as such take a considerable responsibility for deciding its future programme. As my hon. Friend said, we have to apply the same tests to this as to national projects of our own, and our European collegaues agreed that this was a proper approach to make to the problem.

Mr. Sandys

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise what a deplorable impression it would create a mong our European partners if Britain were to climb out of the E.L.D.O., which we played such a prominent part in establishing? Cannot he give a really firm, clear and unequivocal answer and assurance that Her Majesty's Government have no such intention?

Mr. Mulley

I think that if I were the right hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys) I would not want to go into too much detail as to how this Organisation was set up, because the fraud involved in finding a use for Blue Streak is abundantly obvious to our European allies.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order to accuse a right hon. Member of fraud?

Mr. Speaker

I did not hear any such accusation.

Mr. Mulley

It was not the right hon. Gentleman against whom I was making the accusation but the Government of the time. I have to answer for the fact that this Organisation was initially started to find a use for Blue Streak. Blue Streak in this rôle has been very useful. I think that is conceded, but in assessing this, like my colleagues of the other European member countries, I want to be satisfied that the programme proposed is worth while technically in terms of its use and in terms of the cost to which we are all asked to contribute.