§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons he changed his policy at the meeting of the Palais d'Egmont on 31st July from one of opposing a French-inspired launcher development to one of support for a European launcher.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThere has been no change in the British attitude towards the development of a European launcher and the United Kingdom is not a participant in the current L3S project.
Nevertheless, in the interests of achieving wider agreement on European space activities, we were bound to recognise the desire of our partners to proceed with a launcher project. Our contribution to this takes the form of payment for the development by British companies of technology and some hardware. The French are to contribute a similar sum to the British-led MAROTS. These negotiations were part of a process that has led to agreement to establish a European Space Agency and for Europe to pursue more co-ordinated space policies than hitherto.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the British share of the cost of the European launcher;
(2) what percentage of the £4.7 million to be spent on L3S will be spent in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineBritain has agreed to contribute fixed sums to specific parts yet to be agreed of the European launcher rather than accept a share in the launcher itself.
The maximum sum of £4.7 million to be spent on the relevant technology includes provision for over-run; the basic estimate is £3.9 million. The detailed allocation of work is still under discussion, but the aim is that at least 80 per cent. of the money will be spent in the United Kingdom. The French have 50W agreed that if the work placed in the United Kingdom does not reach this target our contribution will be reduced accordingly.