Near Earth Objects

HL Deb 26 February 2001 vol 622 cc111-2WA

Lord Morris of Castle Morris

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will respond to the report of the Near Earth Objects Task Force headed by Dr Harry Atkinson. [HL947]

The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

The Government's response to this report was published on Saturday 24 February. The Government are broadly in agreement with the majority of the task force's recommendations. The Government endorse the view of the task force that since the possible dangers posed by near earth objects are not limited to any one nation, an international approach is essential. At a European level, the European Space Agency is to work to devise a European strategy on near earth objects. The Government are investigating with the OECD its offer to set up an international forum for discussion of and action on the threat to earth from near earth objects. The British National Space Centre will continue to act as lead unit within government on near earth objects policy.

Copies of the Government's response to the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.