HC Deb 15 March 1985 vol 75 cc293-4W
Mr. Batiste

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements Her Majesty's Government propose to ensure access by United Kingdom companies to technologies developed in the research phase of the United States' Government's strategic defence initiative.

Mr. Butler

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Hill) on 26 February 1985, at column 180, it is important that we should keep up with the relevant technologies which span a wide range. We are therefore currently considering, and will be discussing with our United States allies, how best to pursue this. Some British companies are, of course, already closely involved in studies relating to this area.