§ 4. Mr. Heathcoat-Amoryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet decided on the level of future British contributions to the CERN project.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. George Walden)My right hon. Friend has not yet reached a decision in this matter.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryIs my hon. Friend aware that the CERN project is a rare example of a successful European collaborative venture that which will help to keep Europe in the forefront of world science? Does he agree that if we alone reduce our contribution we shall send all the wrong signals to the many other European countries involved, as well as damaging the project itself?
§ Mr. WaldenI agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's question and one of the first things that I did was to go to visit CERN for myself. It is a centre of excellence. It is no part of our intention to damage it, but we have taken serious note of Professor Kendrew's recommendations, and in his view it will be possible to save 25 per cent. of the expenses. I reaffirmed in my contacts with member states that the Government continue to place the highest priority on European collaboration.
§ Mr. DalyellWhy did the hon. Gentleman say last night that it would be wrong to make a hasty judgment?
§ Mr. WaldenBecause that is self-evidently the truth. Professor Kendrew reported in June. I am undertaking a round of consultations and so far I have talked to nine of the 13 Ministers of member states. That is not evidence of hasty judgments.
§ Mr. FreudAre there not grave implications for international co-operative ventures such as might come with SDI? Would it not be more sensible to invest money than to withdraw from something as valuable as CERN?
§ Mr. WaldenNot for the first time, I fail to see the connection between two propositions that the hon. Gentleman has put.
§ Dr. BrayIs the Minister's proposal for a joint independent review of CERN similar to that of the Kendrew committee, or is he considering a wider international review of particle physics research, in which the United States and the Soviet Union might participate? Does not the latter course open up wider possibilities of international co-operation?
§ Mr. WaldenFor the moment, our objective is to secure a radical review of the CERN operations, but against a mental background of the kind recommended by the hon. Gentleman. I noted carefully the thoughtful comments that he made on this subject in last night's debate.