§ Mr. Andrew MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the status of the ERS–2 and DRTM programmes of the European Space Agency.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThese programmes were discussed at the Council of the European Space Agency on 27–28 June. I am pleased to report that the ERS-2 programme has now formally commenced following confirmation of subscriptions from all participating states. ERS-1 and ERS-2 will together constitute a major European contribution to the monitoring of climate and environment. The United Kingdom Government are allocating some £60 million to ERS-2. This will fund inter alia the provision of two major instruments—the active microwave instrument and the along-track scanning radiometer. DRTM (to which the United Kingdom has commited £32 million) has also formally commenced. In the TM element,52W United Kingdom industry will be active in the development of advanced land mobile services, optical (laser) inter-satellite communications, ion propulsion and nickel hydrogen cells. The data relay satellite system element is in a preparatory phase.