§ 3. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a further statement about British participation in the European Launcher Development Organisation.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Technology (Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu)E.L.D.O.'s latest plan (known as T9) has substantially different aims from those agreed by the European Launcher Development Organisation countries in 1966, and is, therefore, a "further programme" in which any member is entitled to declare that it is not interested, and hence not liable to contribute to the cost. This we have done, but we have offered to continue to contribute to E.L.D.O. at a somewhat reduced level; we intend to devote rather more than our net saving to a European satellite applications programme.
§ Mr. MartenHave Ministers now agreed to have a European space authority? What is the budget for the new programme, and what conversations has the Minister had with the President of E.L.D.O.?
§ Mr. MallalieuWe have had a series of conversations with the President of E.L.D.O., but the differences of the member countries—ourselves and Italy on the one hand and the others—are not yet resolved. The E.L.D.O. budget is proceeding on a month-to-month basis at present.
§ Mr. David PriceWhat progress has been made in efforts to merge E.S.R.O. and E.L.D.O. into a single European space authority which will be mission-orientated? One of the great disadvantages of E.S.R.O. is that it is not mission-orientated.
§ Mr. MallalieuI agree with the hon. Gentleman's comments. All these matters are being discussed.