§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will give an undertaking that the United Kingdom Government will join the post-Apollo programme even if other European countries decided not to join:
(2) if he will ask the United States Government to postpone their closing date for the United Kingdom's decision on joining the post-Apollo space programme.
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§ Mr. OnslowIn accordance with the expresed preference of the United States authorities for a collective response to their offer of participation, we are examining the merits of participation jointly with our European partners. A meeting of the European Space Conference is being planned for July with the objective of taking decisions on participation. It is too early to say whether or not circumstances may arise which would necessitate any European initative to seek further time for consideration. Bilateral participation has not been considered by the Government.