§ Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had discussions with the United States authorities about the potential dangers of man-made satellites and other objects crashing to earth; and what action he intends to take.
§ Mr. JuddMy right hon. Friend has not had bilateral discussions with the United States authorities about the potential dangers arising from the uncontrolled reentry of spacecraft into the earth's atmosphere. The question is being considered internationally on a multilateral basis within the United Nations outer space committee which has already been responsible for drawing up the following Treaties, all of which are now in force:
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- 1. Treaty on principles governing the activities of States in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies.
- 2. Convention on registration of objects launched into outer space.
- 3. Convention on international liability for damage caused by space objects.
§ Mr. Maclennan,pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 29 March 1979; Vol. 965, c. 271], gave the following answer:
The cumulative increases requested are given below. As the overall figures conceal differing trends over time, the latest annual increases are also given. Comparisons of increases in food prices are complicated in that the inclusion of alcoholic drinks and tobacco varies between countries.
4. Agreement on the rescue of astronauts, the return of astronauts and the return of objects launched into outer space.