THE EARL OF GOSFORDasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations for setting up an organisation to develop a satellite launcher in Europe.
§ LORD MILLSThe Convention for the establishment of a European Launcher Development Organisation, which was drafted at the Lancaster House Conference last November, has now been signed by the Governments of Australia, Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The initial programme, which is now proceeding, provides for the development of a launcher using Blue Streak at the first stage. A French rocket will be used as the second stage. The third stage will be developed under the leadership of the Federal Republic of Germany. The design, development and construction of the first series of satellite test vehicles will be carried out under the leadership of the Italian Republic, the equipment for the ground guidance stations under the leadership of Belgium and of the long-range telemetry links under the leadership of the Netherlands. Development firings of the first stage and of the complete three-stage launcher will be carried out at Woomera.
A copy of the Convention will be placed in the Library for the convenience of Peers.
House adjourned at twenty-six minutes past five o'clock.