Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 28 January 2000. It was answered by Peter Kilfoyle (Labour) on Friday, 28 January 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons his Department decided not to contribute to France's Helios 2 project.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department decided not to contribute to France's Helios 2 project. [104320] Mr. Kilfoyle: The MOD has neither sought nor received any proposals for direct UK participation in, or contribution to, France's Helios 2 programme. The UK, as a member of the Western European Union, is considering the potential of a number of satellite observation programmes to meet WEU requirements. The Helios 2 programme may be offered to meet these requirements.

Secondary information