§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total value of the United Kingdom space budget, the percentage this represents of the total European budget and the corresponding figures for France and Germany.
§ Mr. OnslowThere is no United Kingdom space budget as such. Expenditure on space activities in the United Kingdom is undertaken by a number of Government Departments and other public sector bodies. During 1972–73 the total of this expenditure is expected to be some£32 million. This represents some 15 per cent. of the total expenditure which Western Europe as a whole expected to incur on space activities in 1972. Of this European total the French space budget accounted for about 30 per cent. and the space budget of the Federal Republic of Germany for some 40 per cent.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will 253W list the organisations in which Her Majesty's Government have a financial interest and which are concerned with European co-operation in the aerospace industry.
§ Mr. OnslowWithin the United Kingdom aircraft industry, the Government own Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. and 69 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Short Bros. &Harland Ltd. Both these companies have formed links with European partners on a number of projects. The United Kingdom is a member of the European Space Research Organisation and makes a financial contribution to its programmes.