§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology if he will give an assurance that it is the Government's intention that Europa one and two launcher vehicles will be developed to operational status.
§ Mr. BennThe European Launcher Development Organisation's programme—which is at present under review in the light of increased costs and the two failures of the French second stage—is a matter for the collective decision of its members. The position of the Government on ELDO was made clear in my statement to the House on 23rd April when I said that it had been decided not to undertake any additional financial commitments to the Organisation.—[Vol. 763, cc. 40–47.]
§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology what he estimates to be the estimated cost of the purchase of a Europa launcher on the basis of an initial production run of 20.
§ Mr. BennThe agreed arrangements within the European Launcher Development Organisation provide for the purchase by member States of Europa launchers on the basis of marginal costs only, i.e. excluding any element for amortisation of the very considerable costs of development and of capital facilities. On this basis the latest European Launcher Development Organisation estimate is £7 million per vehicle assuming a production run of five and launch at the rate of three per year. Since only one firm requirement is so far discernible (two launchers for the Franco-German "Symphonie"), no estimate on the basis of a production run of 20 has been made. It is not considered likely however that this would reduce the unit cost by more than 10 per cent.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated capability of the launchers which will be the end product of the European Launcher Development Organisation programme by the time the programme ends in 1971.
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§ Mr. BennBy the end of 1971 the European Launcher Development Organisation plans to have completed the development of two launching vehicles Europa I and Europa II. Launched from the European Launcher Development Organisation's operational site under construction in French Guiana, the capability of Europa I is estimated to be 2090 lbs. into low equatorial orbit and that of Europa II 374 lbs. into geostationary orbit.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated cost of the British contribution to the European Launcher Development Organisation in each year up to and including 1971.
§ Mr. BennOn the basis of estimated European Launcher Development Organisation annual budgets, the United Kingdom liability for contributions is:—
1968 1969 1970 1971 million million million million £10.7 £10.1 £4.6 £2.2
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Technology if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an analysis showing how the £14 million saving arising from the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Launcher Development Organisation project will be achieved.
§ Mr. BennThe Government's decision is not to withdraw from the European Launcher Development Organisation, but to decline to undertake any new financial commitments to it. The United Kingdom share of the further ELDO programmes envisaged by the Causse Report was estimated to cost £8 million. The total saving quoted of £14 million included £2 million resulting from non-participation in the proposed T.V. relay satellite and £4 million from limiting the increase in scientific space expenditure.