§ Sir Hugh Rossiasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from observatories and from astronomers about the impact on their work of the launching into space of satellites for the purpose of advertising; if he proposes to take any action; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Pattie[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1987, c. 418]: The British National Space Centre has received representations from United Kingdom astronomers, both individually and collectively through the Royal Astronomical Society, on the potential threats to astronomy posed by various plans to launch reflecting satellites into space for advertising or other purposes. The Goverment believe that the launch of such objects should become subject to an internationally accepted code of practice. We are considering, initially with our partners in ESA, how best to pursue such an arrangement.