HC Deb 07 August 1972 vol 842 cc232-3W
37. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the award by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the design, development and testing contract for the Orbiter vehicle in the United States proposed post-Apollo space shuttle to the North American Rockwell Company with which the British Aircraft Corporation has successfully collaborated, he will authorise British participation in the post-Apollo programme.

Mr. Onslow

The Question of participation is being discussed with our European partners in the light of the reduction in the areas of work still open for European collaboration. I cannot prejudge the outcome of these discussions.

52. Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making in his discussions with European countries about Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to the post-Apollo and space-shuttle programmes.

Mr. Onslow

A decision on participation in the post-Apollo programme is one of the objectives of the European Space Conference now planned for late September. The discussions which are being undertaken should facilitate such a decision, but I cannot prejudge what the outcome will be.

53. Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the projects in which the United Kingdom and the United States of America have had a joint interest in post-Apollo and communications satellite projects; and what aspects are still in progress.

Mr. Onslow

Studies of the space shuttle have been made by the British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Siddeley Aviation in association with North American Rockwell and McDonnell Douglas respectively. The United Kingdom has, with assistance from the United States, undertaken the Skynet military communications satellite programme, work on which is continuing. The United Kingdom is also a member, with the United States and other countries, of the Intelsat Global Communications System and is the second largest contributor to that Organisation.