HC Deb 16 July 1992 vol 211 cc987-8W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the British contribution to the European Space Agency, the Hermes spaceplane and the Columbus project, in each of the last five financial years, together with the projection for the current year; if he will express these figures as a percentage of the total expenditure and of the German contribution; and if he will also express the annual British contribution in standard prices.

Mr. Leigh

United Kingdom contributions in each of the last five financial years and projected contribution in 1992–93 are:

ESA £ million
Historic prices 1992–93 prices Hermes Columbus
1987–88 81 112 0 5
1988–89 90 116 0 8
1989–90 88 106 0 6
1990–91 94 105 0 7
1991–92 100 105 0 11
1992–93 100 100 0 13

ESA accounts on a calendar year basis. The following percentages are therefore on that basis:

United Kingdom contribution as a percentage of:
ESA total expenditure German contribution
1987 12 49
1988 8 37
1989 7 31
1990 6 23
1991 6 27