§ Q2. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with co-operation between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Defence on the subject of British participation in the post-Apollo programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. The Department of Trade and Industry takes the lead, working closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that any defence implications there may be are taken fully into account.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat precisely are these outstanding issues that the Prime Minister tells us have to be clarified with the Americans?
§ The Prime MinisterThey are issues of cost and technology.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are a considerable number of contracts and sub-contracts which could be of immense advantage to this country? Will he let 1269 us know as soon as possible when we can expect the Government's comments on the report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology dealing with this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not know the exact timing for this but we are obviously dealing with it as expeditiously as we can. As to the question of contracts, those with which we are all concerned at the moment are for the exploratory study being carried out by the European Governments interested. We have already announced that we are making our contribution of around a quarter of a million pounds towards carrying out that study. Naturally we hope that some contracts will be placed in this country.