§ 44. Mr. Geoffrey Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science under what system tenders are invited by the European Space Research Organisation, whether by public advertisement or by invitation to selected firms; and if he is satisfied that sufficient publicity is being given to British firms who might compete.
§ Mr. PrenticeLists of potential tenderers have been drawn up in response to a public invitation which was advertised in the Press in 1964. The Department arranged further publicity in theBoard of Trade Journal and through 333W Trade Associations. Of about 1,000 replies, over 400 were from the U.K. From these lists several firms from each member country are selected to tender for specific contracts. The European Space Research Organisation has just issued a further invitation for firms to enter the lists and I will ensure that British firms are fully informed about this.