§ 11. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest British position in relation to participation in the 300 GeV C.E.R.N. accelerator.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams;)I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend on 24th October last.—[Vol. 770, c. 328.]
§ Mr. DalyellWithout wishing to press the matter too extravagantly, could not we work towards the position whereby British entry would be expected by the time of the cutting of the first sod in Geneva in 18 months' time, thereby enabling us to get in on the hardware?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI know my hon. Friend's interest in this subject. It is true that the draft revised C.E.R.N. Convention is lying on the table and allows for further participants to join later. To answer my hon. Friend's supplementary question about hardware, the Convention allows all countries to put in for contracts, though it makes it clear that they should be divided, as far as possible, among those which are participant countries.