§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, prior to the European Space Agency Council meeting in Rome on 30 January, he will make a statement on his policy regarding an independent space agency for Britain.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to the reply, 21 January 1985, c. 281]: I would see it as more appropriate to consider the need for such an agency in the context of our consideration 371W of the United Kingdom's involvement in the programmes of the European Space Agency over the next 10–15 years and this is a main purpose of the Rome meeting.