§ Sir Michael MarshallTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussion his Department has had with the parliamentary space committee; and if he envisages further consultations in the run-up to the European Space Agency ministerial conference. [16686]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorI held a meeting with the parliamentary space committee on 16 March, at which we had a fruitful discussion of a range of issues, including Earth observation activities, satellite-based telecommunications and broadcasting, and satellite navigation. At the meeting, I announced additional Government funding of £2.612 million for the European Space Agency GNSS satellite navigation programme, £1.5 million for the ESA ARTES4 telecommunications technology programme and £1 million to cover the cost of delay to the launch of ESA's ERS2 remote sensing satellite. I would be glad to hold further consultation with the committee in the run-up to the ESA ministerial conference.