§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the chairmanship of the European Space Agency.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI am pleased to announce that Dr. Harry Atkinson, Director of Science at the Science and Engineering Research Council, has been appointed by the European Space Agency to be chairman of its policy making council for an initial period of two years from 1 July.
Dr. Atkinson has been a United Kingdom Delegate to ESA since 1973 and vice-chairman since 1981. He succeeds Professor Curien of France and will continue his duties with the SERC during the chairmanship.
The United Kingdom is an active partner in ESA. Contributions to the agency's programmes currently account for some 85 per cent. of the Department's space expenditure and over 50 per cent. of the SERC s space budget (through its grant in aid from the Department of Education and Science).