§ 70. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Aviation what progress has so far been made by the European Launcher Development Organisation; and when it is now expected that the European Launcher Development Organisation launching vehicle incorporating Blue Streak at its first stage, will be ready to send a satellite into space.
§ Mr. MartenThe Convention has been ratified by Australia, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Belgium, Germany and Italy are the other participating countries. It is expected that sufficient ratifications will have been deposited to bring the Convention into136W force by the end of February. Meanwhile the member countries have undertaken an agreed programme of work. This includes the firing trials of the launcher at Woomera in Australia. There will be three phases to the firing trials. The first, due to begin in April, will consist of firings of the Blue Streak rocket alone. The second will consist of Blue Streak carrying dummy upper stages and is planned to start in the middle of 1965. The third will consist of firings of the complete three-stage launcher carrying a satellite test vehicle. This is planned to take place in 1966.