§ 18. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Aviation what was the total expenditure on the Woomera rocket range from 1951 to October 1964, and from October 1964 to date; and what is the estimated future expenditure on this range.
§ Mr. MulleyTotal expenditure by the United Kingdom, on payments to Australia and on equipment supplied from this country, was approximately £78 million from 1951 to October 1964 and £8 million from November 1964 to date. It is not possible to forecast total future expenditure, but payments are currently running at about £5¼ million per year. All these figures are in addition to considerable expenditure by Australia.
§ Mr. AllaunWhile thanking the Minister for that information, may I ask him to tell the House what is approximately the military share of this expenditure? Does it include, for instance, the testing of spy satellite and re-entry missiles?
§ Mr. MulleyI could not give my hon. Friend that information without notice. The testing of nuclear devices has been undertaken in Australia but not at Woomera.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhat non-European and non-Commonwealth countries have the use of the facilities at Woomera?
§ Mr. MulleyI should want notice of that question, but as far as I am aware the only other proposed use of Woomera is by E.L.D.O., of which Australia is also a member.