§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report on the threat posed by near earth objects, currently being prepared by the Near Earth Object Task Force, will be published; and if he will make a statement. [132086]
§ Ms HewittThe Task Force has not yet formally submitted its report to my noble Friend the Minister for Science. I expect that it will do so shortly. My noble Friend will write to the hon. Member when the report is published. Parliament will be informed once he has had the opportunity to consider the recommendations.