§ 26. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a statement on the recent International Telecommunications Satellite Conference in Washington.
§ The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (Mr. John Stonehouse)This conference on definitive arrangements for INTELSAT is still in session in Washington. I cannot yet forceast the outcome but hope that substantial agreement will soon be reached on questions of structure, voting rights and management. No doubt further negotiations will be necessary over the next few months before a comprehensive agreement can be made.
§ Mr. MartenCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why there is such a delay in this conference, which should have been finished earlier? Is it that the British Government are pressing for a more international share in COMSAT, rather than having complete American control?
§ Mr. StonehouseI cannot comment in detail while negotiations are still going on. All that I can do is advise the House that there is still disagreement among the main shareholders in INTELSAT. We hope that this disagreement will be resolved in the near future.