European Space Agency (Hansard, 21 January 1985)

§ Mr. Ashton
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy regarding the concept of a non-policy making administrative body as an alternative to a space agency in Europe.

§ Mr. Butcher
The Government believes that the European Space Agency has proved a successful and valuable organisation as presently constituted.

§ Mr. Ashton
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the United Kingdom contribution to the European Space Agency since 1975; and what the level of this contribution is expected to be for 1985.

§ Mr. Butcher
United Kingdom contributions to the European Space Agency since 1975 have been as follows:

£ million

DTI SERC^* Met. Office Total

1975–76 22.8 6.3 — 29.1

1976–77 31.5 6.8 — 38.3

1977–78 31.2 8.4 — 39.6

1978–79 30.6 8.6 0.6 39.8

1979–80 33.3 8.0 1.1 42.4

1980–81 40.2 8.4 0.7 49.3

1981–82 53.2 8.3 0.8 62.3

1982–83 54.6 8.4 1.3 64.3

1983–84 51.2 10.3 3.6 65.1

1984–85† 53.3 11.3 5.9 70.5

^* Science and Engineering Research Council

^† Estimated

The United Kingdom contribution to ESA for 1985–86 has not been finalised and may be affected by the outcome of the ESA Ministerial Council meeting next week. It is however likely that the total contribution will be slightly increased in 1985–86.

				£ million
	DTI	SERC^*	Met. Office	Total
1975–76	22.8	6.3	—	29.1
1976–77	31.5	6.8	—	38.3
1977–78	31.2	8.4	—	39.6
1978–79	30.6	8.6	0.6	39.8
1979–80	33.3	8.0	1.1	42.4
1980–81	40.2	8.4	0.7	49.3
1981–82	53.2	8.3	0.8	62.3
1982–83	54.6	8.4	1.3	64.3
1983–84	51.2	10.3	3.6	65.1
1984–85†	53.3	11.3	5.9	70.5
^* Science and Engineering Research Council
^† Estimated