HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc151-2W
29. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Technology why Great Britain's space communications system for the military network Skynet is to be built and launched in the United States of America; and why it is not being built by the British aerospace industry.

Mr. Benn

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House on 22nd November, 1966, the United States will construct and launch two geo-stationary communication satellites for our Skynet system. The communication terminals to be used in this system will be made in this country. American satellites and launchers were chosen on the grounds of availability and cost.