§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will invite the representatives of the European Launcher and Development Organisation to meet to consider the United Kingdom's re-entry into the European Launcher and Development Organisation, and its participation in further development of a European launcher.
§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the date on which European nations, including the United Kingdom, were invited to consider joining the United States of America in their post-Apollo space programme; and whether he can now give the date upon which the reply of the United Kingdom will be given.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe invitation was received in September, 1969. The European Space Conference has since spent £2 million on studying the programme and had many discussions with the United States authorities. The United Kingdom together with other European countries is expected to decide whether to participate in the programme at a meeting in Brussels on 11th–12th July.
§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry having regard to the decision to eliminate the Black Arrow Launcher programme in favour of joining the post-Apollo space programme, what steps he is taking to recommence work on a United Kingdom launcher programme.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineNone.