HC Deb 07 May 1968 vol 764 cc70-1W
Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated saving, year by year, accruing to Great Britain by not continuing with the European Launcher Development Organisation after 1971, as proposed by the Causse Committee.

Mr. Benn

The Causse Committee Report assumed that the E.L.D.O. launcher development programme would continue after 1971 at its present level, i.e. at about £38 million a year. If the United Kingdom rate of contribution remained unchanged at 27 per cent. continuing commitments to E.L.D.O. would therefore have been approximately £10 million per year and this is the order of saving arising from the Government's decision not to undertake further financial commitments to the Organisation.