§ 20. Mr. Bowen Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has on the current level of orders for communications satellites developed by British firms.
§ Mr. ButcherThe British space industry is currently building six communications satellites; two more have recently been completed and are awaiting launch; and I anticipate that work will shortly resume on the three UNISATs for the national direct broadcasting project. The industry is also doing substantial subcontract business for overseas customers.