§ 86. Mr. D. Priceasked the Postmaster-General what consultations he has had with the Government of the United States of America regarding British participation, by either his Department or telecommunication firms, in the corporation proposed by President Kennedy for the financing of a satellite communications system.
§ Mr. BevinsNo proposal for discussion has yet been made by the United States Government. My hon. Friend will appreciate that President Kennedy's recent message to Congress related to proposals for legislation in the United States.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General (1) to what extent he has been informed of the proposed international communications system by satellites as outlined by President Kennedy; whether the United Kingdom's communications satellite experiments will be dovetailed into this scheme; and if he will make a statement;
(2) to what extent the United Kingdom's experiment of building ground receiving stations and satellite equipment will be affected by the recently announced American plans to develop an international satellite communication system; and whether Her Majesty's Government will purchase shares and participate in its ownership.
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§ Mr. BevinsThe new ground station in the United Kingdom will be used for experiments in satellite communications across the North Atlantic. These experiments have been planned jointly with the United States and are designed to give technical and other information essential for further examination of the possibilities of developing a commercial satellite communication system.
The experiments are in no way affected by President Kennedy's recent statement which related to proposed legislation in the United States for the development and operation of a commercial system. No approach has been made to the United Kingdom regarding possible British participation in the ownership and operation of any commercial system which may be developed on the lines proposed in the President's message.