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European Global Navigation Satellite System

The debate is whether we are happy with the Government’s negotiating stance. They have left us with two forms of public funding, either through community funds or through the European Space Agency. I would have liked EGNOS to be promoted. It is a satellite-based system that will augment Navstar and Glonass, making them suitable for safety-critical applications such as flying aircraft or navigating ships through narrow channels. Properly integrated with Navstar GPS beyond 2008, that would provide for all Europe’s needs. The UK has already paid its contribution of €35 million towards it. It would be a short cut to playing a key role in a global system.