HC Deb 10 May 1993 vol 224 cc494-6
35. Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment the Government have made about the Earth's vulnerability from debris shed from the Taurid object; and in what scientific and international initiatives the Government are involved in order to gather intelligence about the threat presented by asteroid strikes generally.

Mr. Waldegrave

The chief scientific adviser last year consulted extensively on the threat posed by asteroids. The conclusion reached was that the United Kingdom should not divert major Government resources to research in this area, although work on asteroid collisions is going on at Sheffield university.

The United States have been looking at the matter carefully, and I understand that its conclusions have led it to fund a limited detection programme. Clearly, it would be pointless to duplicate that research. We shall, however, continue to monitor the research undertaken and keep our approach under review.

Mr. Mackinlay

I am grateful for the Minister's reply. Does he understand that large numbers of distinguished scientists and experts throughout the world are alarmed by their inability to alert Governments to the gravity of the situation? Will he give the matter further consideration? In particular, I commend to him an article in the Sunday Telegraph on 25 April by its science correspondent which explained with great clarity the seriousness of the matter, which really should not be treated with levity by the House.

Mr. Waldegrave

Let no one say that Members representing Essex take only a parochial view of matters. The hon. Gentleman is right. I have read the article to which he refers, and there is a real issue here. At this stage, it is a research issue. We are well in touch with the international network studying it.

Mr. Roger Evans

Will my right hon. Friend consider the theory that the dinosaurs' lives came to an end as a result of an asteroid? [Interruption]

Madam Speaker

Order. I want to listen to the hon. Gentleman, but there is a great deal of noise going on. Let me hear whether his question is in order.

Mr. Evans

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the concern shown by the Labour party is deeply ironic in this context and that research, at this stage, is as far as it need go?

Mr. Waldegrave

Probably the straightforward answer to that is, yes.