Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 November 1996. It was answered by Ian Taylor (Conservative) on Friday, 29 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: If he will report progress on the Arianne Project; what representations he has received from (a) Professor David Southwood of Imperial College, London, and (b) Professor Stephen Schwartz and other plasma physicists at Queen Mary and Westfield Colleges, London on this matter; what reply he sent; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library. - Includes fact that copies have been placed in Library as DEP/3 4243.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will report progress on the Ariane project; what representations he has received from (a) Professor David Southwood of Imperial college, London, and (b) Professor Stephen Schwartz and other plasma physicists at Queen Mary and Westfield colleges, London on this matter; what reply he sent; and if he will place copies of the correspondence in the Library. [6106] Mr. Ian Taylor: Following the failure of Ariane 501, a second qualification flight is planned for April 1997. A third qualification flight, which might also carry a commercial payload, is planned for September 1997. I have received letters from Professor Schwartz and, via the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) from Professor Southwood about the Cluster mission. Copies of the correspondence have been placed in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6106; 286 c422W;286 c420W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Research Space technology Technology Science Spacecraft Arianespace