§ 2. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions he has attended the Ministerial Aerospace Board.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. Ian Gilmour)My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I attended the one meeting which has so far been held.
§ Mr. DalyellDoes the fact that there has been only one meeting indicate that the Aerospace Board is not very active? When will the board give the Americans an answer about British participation in the post-Apollo programme?
§ Mr. GilmourIt does not mean that the Aerospace Board has been inactive. The board is meant to oversee collaboration between Ministries, and collaboration continues at all levels irrespective of meetings of the board. The Aerospace Board co-ordinates procurement policy for space, but the actual policy for space is a matter for the Cabinet and the ordinary Cabinet machinery.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesIn view of the thirst for knowledge on defence subjects displayed by the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) in the number of Questions that he has put down for Written Answer, will the Minister say whether the hon. Gentleman gave him information in advance about which Questions were to be taken orally and which were to receive Written Answers?
§ Mr. GilmourNo. The hon. Gentleman has put down about 40 Questions, but as far as I know we received no indication of which were to be taken orally.