§ 8. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement about the future of Blue Streak.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe future of Blue Streak is closely related to the future requirements of E.L.D.O. The Organisation's current approved programme provides for 14 launchers of which seven have already been fired. If the austerity programme, the T8A programme, to which the Organisation is provisionally working is confirmed, this would require one launcher less.
§ Mr. MartenIn spite of E.L.D.O., would the Minister agree that there could well be future uses for Blue Streak? Will he, therefore, give an assurance that Blue Streak will not be cancelled? If this were to happen and the team dispersed, it would be a great step backwards out of space.
§ Mr. MallalieuI am in some doubt about what possible uses there might be for Blue Streak outside this particular activity. There is no question of cancelling Blue Streak at the moment.
§ Mr. David PriceDoes the Minister agree that in Blue Streak we have the basic propellant which is open to a large number of uses, particularly if the Government see fit to take up the proposal of the Select Committee on Estimates of concentrating their space programme under one Ministry?
§ Mr. MallalieuIt is a question of priorities in space as in everything else. The cost of Blue Streak as a launcher is a factor which has to be borne in mind.