§ 17. Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what further developments he expects in the space programme that will benefit United Kingdom industry, consequential upon the successful launch of Marecs-A satellite.
§ Mr. WakehamThe launch of the Marecs-A satellite, which my hon. Friend attended, was a great success for the United Kingdom space industry. Marecs-B and the first ECS satellite will be launched later this year. British industry is now well placed to compete for orders in the rapidly growing market for communications satellites.
§ Mr. WarrenWill my hon. Friend consult British Telecommunications and the British Standards Institution to see whether it is possible to speed up the certification of ground equipment associated with the space programme, so that we can hold the dramatic lead that Britain has now obtained in European satellite operations?
§ Mr. WakehamCertainly, and if my hon. Friend has any particular points to raise, I hope that he will get in touch with me.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallDoes my hon. Friend agree that this European Space Agency project, in which British Aerospace has taken a lead, and in which I declare an interest, is typical of the very important return that is obtained from our contribution to the European Space Agency? Does my hon. Friend further agree that if we were to think about withdrawing from the Community that kind of organisation would itself be under threat?
§ Mr. WakehamMy hon. Friend is correct. The European Space Agency's programme to develop a large communications satellite, L-Sat, got under way on 22 December. British Aerospace is the prime contractor for that programme, which will cost £230 million, and in which the United Kingdom has a one-third share.