§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take as a result of resolution A2 on the adverse environmental impacts on astronomy passed at the XXth general assembly of the International Astronomical Union.
Mr. JacksonResolution A2 was sponsored by the Commission on the Protection of Observatories, of which the United Kingdom is a member. Britain has extensive experience of taking special measures to protect radio telescopes from harmful interference, under the oversight of a committee including representatives of the radioastronomy community. All the major British optical and infra-red telescopes are located abroad and special measures have been taken by the host states to minimise the level of background illumination. The United Kingdom, with its partners in the European Space Agency, is currently considering a report of a working group set up to consider the problems resulting from debris in space.