§ 2.37 p.m.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose to the United Nations that space round the earth should be declared "the heritage of mankind" (similar to their declaration on the oceans) and that an international authority, replacing separate Governments and private companies, should be established for the development of peaceful satellites and vehicles in space.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)My Lords, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is currently discussing the matter of the definition and/or delimitation of outer space. The question of a declaration on "the heritage of mankind" does not therefore arise, although it is being discussed in relation to a draft moon treaty. As for the establishment of a new international authority to develop peaceful satellites and vehicles 706 in space, Her Majesty's Government, while welcoming any new initiative designed to further the peaceful uses of outer space, are not so far persuaded that the establishment of a new international body can be justified in terms of either need or the expenditure involved.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while welcoming most of that Answer, may I ask the Minister this question: Is it not the case that, though space is large, there is unplanned chaos now, with 1,500 military satellites owned by the Soviet Union, America, Nato, France and China, and with even a private company now beginning to send military satellites into space? Is there not also the danger that there will be competition for the minerals in the new islands in space? Is it too early to establish an international authority to control these dangers?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, while I would not entirely accept my noble friend's anaylsis of the present hazards in outer space, I am certain that the House will pay careful and continued attention to the dangers of developments which are not properly co-ordinated internationally. This is precisely what the United Nations body to which I referred is endeavouring to do, and I think considerable progress is being made in regard to the objectives mentioned by my noble friend. As to the need for an international régime, this is part of the proposal in the draft paper, produced by Austria, in relation to the moon and other celestial bodies; so my noble friend's objectives are indeed being very carefully studied, and I think we would all agree with him that some speedy advance in these matters is essential.