§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further calculations on the close approach to the Earth by the plant Icarus on 15th June, 1968, have been made by his Department since he wrote to the hon. Member on 30th October, 1967; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsSince October, 1967, further calculations have been made on the orbit of the minor planet Icarus both in Leningrad and in Cincinnati. A further special study has also been re-22W ported in the International Astronomical Union's Circular no. 2065 of 16th April, 1968. The closest approach of Icarus to the Earth will occur on the evening of 14th June at a distance of some 3.95 million miles.