§ Mr. D. Priceasked the Minister of Supply, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a statement about the recent visit of Professor Massey's team on space research to the United States of America.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesYes. In accordance with the Prime Minister's announcement on 12th May, 1959, Professor Massey and a small team of experts visited the United States recently to discuss co-operation with the United States in the field of scientific research in space using earth satellites.
My noble Friend is glad to report that Professor Massey's team had most valuable and fruitful discussions with the 87W National Aeronautics and Space Administration (N.A.S.A.).
As a result, it is proposed that British scientists will prepare instruments for satellites to be placed in orbit by the use of the "Scout" vehicle, which NA.S.A. is developing for use in connection with civil scientific research. Thus, British science will be able to play its own part in the advancement of scientific knowledge of our planet and its environment. Several vehicles might be involved over a period of three to four years. Her Majesty's Government have considered and approved these proposals, subject to the conclusion of formal arrangements.
Information concerning these programmes and their results will be made available to the international scientific community.
Both the British and the American groups regard this project as a valuable development in scientific co-operation, and in endorsing this view on behalf of Her Majesty's Government my noble Friend and I would like to congratulate both sides on the successful outcome of their discussions.
Meantime, the arrangements for design studies of British launchers, which were announced in the Prime Minister's statement, remain unaffected.