§ 52. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he hopes to make a statement on British participation in the post-Apollo programme.
§ Mr. OnslowThe question of participation in the post-Apollo programme is under consideration jointly with our European Space Conference partners. A meeting of the conference is being planned for July and my hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace is considering how best to keep the House informed of developments.
§ 63. Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in order to reach a decision on participation before the main contractors are chosen by the American National Aeronautics and Space Administration he will expedite the Government's and its European partners' joint decision over whether or not to participate in the post-Apollo project, and not wait until July.
§ Mr. OnslowA meeting of the European Space Conference, which is the proper forum for joint European decisions on post-Apollo, has been proposed for 11th–12th July to fit in with the NASA timetable on space shuttle contracts. An earlier meeting would be impracticable.