Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 11 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 February 2004. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 26 February 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on steps the Government has taken to establish studies to look into the practical possibilities of mitigating the results of impact and deflecting incoming objects.

Answer: Lembit Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on steps the Government have taken to establish studies to look into the practical possibilities of mitigating the results of impact and deflecting incoming objects. [155363] Ms Hewitt: Through the current OECD Global Science Forum activity on Near Earth Objects (NEO), the Government are involved in studies to look into the practical aspects of assessing the risk of impacts as well as the related mitigation planning. The UK has actively encouraged the European Space Agency to carry out studies on NEOs and is involved in missions such as the Rosetta mission to the comet Churyumov- Gerasimenko. This will provide significant experience adding to the already substantial knowledge base that will help in the preparation of any deflection mission that may be required.

Secondary information