§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Industry if the Government have any proposals to strengthen links between the Government and the space industry.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallOn 11 July I announced to the House that I was to chair an inter-departmental group of officials which would consider and co-ordinate action on space matters between Departments. This group now meets regularly, and, as part of our work, we have been actively seeking the views of the space industry; this will now be formally effected by a new forum, the Space Consultative Committee, which will combine the Government, the industry and major users and potential users of space systems such as British Telecom, research councils and the broadcasting authorities.
As a basis for discussion the Government have received the report of a study by the Central Policy Review Staff of United Kingdom space activities, which explored the major issues and opportunities now before the United Kingdom in space, and dealt with the means of ensuring co-ordinated support of our space industry by Government Departments.
The Government have three major roles in the field of space development. First, we are users of the services which satellites can provide. Both directly and through British Telecom, we participate in the Intelsat and Inmarsat organisations for international civil satellite communications. Through NATO, we share military satellite communications systems. Through our membership of the European Space Agency we have access to its satellite facilities, expertise and experimental data. The Meteorological Office makes extensive use of satellite data.
Further international and national services are being developed, such as maritime communications, specialised business services, navigation and earth observation. The principles which the Government have adopted for intelligent use of their purchasing power apply as much to space applications as to other industrial sectors.
Secondly, the Government have, over many years, sponsored space research and development both from my 321W Department and the Department of Education and Science through the Science Research Council. Our effort in space science has opened up unique research opportunities, and in satellite telecommunications is now leading to substantial and challenging opportunities for which British industry is well-placed, following participation in the communications programmes of the European Space Agency, and other projects.
Thirdly, the Government, through the regulatory framework, can ensure the orderly development of new and commercially viable space applications.
Jointly with industry, we will now be tackling topics of immediate importance such as: the future programmes of the European Space Agency, including developments in communications satellites and remote sensing of the earth; a satellite communications system for the Ministry of Defence; and the marketing effort required to win vital export orders. Moreover, the Home Secretary will soon be publishing the report of the Home Office study of the options for, and implications of, direct broadcasting by satellite for the United Kingdom.
Our space and related industries have many strengths, from system design, software development and satellite construction through to ground stations and ancillary equipment. The Government will be looking to industry to seek out and finance the most promising opportunities. But success will not depend on industry alone and the Government intend to play their part in close collaboration with the industry.