§ 41. Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he is having with the United States Government on the post-Apollo programme, following the postponement of the European Space Conference.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe United States has expressed a preference for a collective European response to its offer of participation and the United Kingdom has respected this preference. No formal discussions with the United States Government are therefore appropriate.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions specifying the meetings between Government and industry have taken place between United Kingdom aerospace interests and the United States of America on the post-Apollo space programme since it was first proposed in September, 1969; and which United Kingdom companies have been involved.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineFollowing the visit to Europe in 1969 by United States officials, the United Kingdom has participated in the missions of the European Space Conference delegations to the United States in September, 1970, February, 1971, and June, 1972. There has also been a series of discussions between technical experts.
Hawker Siddeley Aviation and the British Aircraft Corporation have participated in the Phase B studies of the shuttle programme in collaboration with United States contractors.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the £2 million spent on studying the United States post-Apollo programme by the European Space Conference countries has been spent by the United Kingdom alone.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe United Kingdom share is £473,000, but following the recent changes in the nature of the participation in the post-Apollo programme open to Europe some of this money may not be spent.
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§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) in view of the fact that the European Space Conference planned for 11th and 12th July was specifically proposed to fit in with the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's timetable on space shuttle contracts but has now been postponed, whether Europe and the United Kingdom are still being invited to participate in the post-Apollo programme;
(2) in view of the limitations being imposed upon European participation in the post-Apollo programme, what advanced technological participation is now visualised in this project by United Kingdom and European firms.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineDevelopment of a research application module in Europe is still open and under consideration with our partners in the European Space Conference.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect on the British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Siddeley of being denied any involvement in the post-Apollo programme.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe two firms have collaborated, with Government support, in studies with American firms for the development programme. Direct subcontracts might be obtained from the main American contractors but the cost of further Government support has to be weighed against the work and management experience industry would derive from participation in a programme which is now less interesting technically than when first proposed.