§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will be supporting the European Space Agency and British Aerospace in any bids for the construction of future NATO satellite launchers.
§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)The choice of the launchers used for its satellite missions is a matter for NATO itself. We would expect the organisation to meet its requirements through normal commercial competition. The UK anticipates that due consideration would be given within normal NATO rules to the use of Europe's Ariane launcher.