Dr. ThomasTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he or his departmental officials have had any344W recent discussions with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority over plans being developed within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to create an international inspectorate for monitoring the safety and reliability of space programmes.
§ Mr. NewtonNo. As part of its business development plans the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is actively seeking R and D contracts in the space market and is well qualified to give advice on the safety and reliability of space programmes. However neither my Department nor the authority has plans to create an international space inspectorate.