§ 64. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Aviation what was the result of the conference in Paris concerning the European Launcher Development Organisation; and what new plans have been made by the European Space Research Organisation.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsA conference attended by all the European Launcher Development Organisation Member States met in Paris from 19th to 21st January, to review the activities of the Organisation and to examine proposals concerning its future work.
The cost of completing the first programme launcher which is based on conventional techniques and has a limited operational capability, will be higher than the original estimate. A working group has therefore been set up to consider the feasibility of profiting from the technical results already achieved and the experience acquired by the Organisation, to develop an advanced launching system making use of the most modern techniques. The system would continue to make use of Blue Streak as the first stage.
The conference will be convened again this year to review progress.
The European Space Research Organisation is the responsibility of my right 293W hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, but I understand that the Organisation has made no new plans.