§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the role she envisages for UK industry in investigating the future of satellite navigation within Europe. [22241]
§ Mr. BattleThe UK is an important player in the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) being developed by the European Space Agency, Leading UK space industry companies are currently negotiating for work in key technology areas such as the Central Processing Facility (CPF) and the Central Control Facility (CCF). The contract for implementation of the programme is due to start in summer 1998 with completion scheduled for 2001.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions(a) she and (b) the European Commission has had with the (i) Japanese, (ii) US and (iii) Russian authorities on the scope for co-operation in planning future satellite navigation systems. [22242]
§ Mr. BattleSuch discussions are carried out by the European Tripartite Group, a body consisting of members of the European Commission, the European Space Agency and EUROCONTROL. The European Tripartite Group had discussions with authorities in Russia in May 1997, the US in September 1997 and Japan in September 1997, November 1997 and December 1997. I and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade have not considered additional discussions to be either appropriate or necessary at this stage.