§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the implications for the British space industry of the development of the earth observation data centre as a result of the ESA recommendation on the polar platform order; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 17 February 1989]: The Government are supporting the creation of the earth observation data centre at Farnborough because of the key role that it will play in the progressive commercial development of the United Kingdom's capabilities in this field. We expect that the private sector will, in due course, take over the EODC as a wholly commercial facility. The centre will receive data from various satellites, and not merely from the polar platform. But it remains a United Kingdom objective to achieve a polar platform series which will facilitate effective commercialisation.