15 EUROPEAN SPACE POLICY
(24226)
5707/03
COM(03) 17
| Green Paper on European Space Policy.
|
| Legal base | —
|
| Department | Trade and Industry
|
| Basis of consideration |
Minister's letter of 8 July 2003 |
| Previous Committee Report |
HC 63-xiii (2002-03), paragraph 2 (26 February 2003)
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| To be discussed in Council
| None planned |
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Cleared
|
Background
15.1 In February 2003 we considered the Commission's
Green Paper on a European space policy.[43]
The document was produced in consultation with the Director General
of the European Space Agency (ESA).[44]
(It is Community policy to promote with practical measures synergy
between the ESA and the Commission.) The Green Paper discusses
European space policy in three sections: European space in a changing
global context, placing space more at the service of Europe and
its citizens and towards a more efficient and ambitious organisation
and framework. Rather than making proposals it poses a series
of questions. The Commission's intention is to issue a White Paper
by the end of this year.
15.2 The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
State for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury)
drew our attention last February to a number of issues arising
from the questions in the Green Paper. He said that discussion
of some of these matters had to take into account political as
well as technical issues. He told us that a formal government
response to the Green Paper was in preparation. We reported our
intention to hold the document under scrutiny until we were able
to see that government response.
The Minister's letter
15.3 The Minister has now sent us a near-final
draft of the government response, which he tells us is likely
to go to the Commission without significant amendment by the end
of this month. (The Commission's consultation period closed at
the end of last month but it has been asked to take a late response
into account.)
15.4 The response groups its comments on
the Green Paper's questions under several themes: manufacturing,
operating and exploiting space systems; recruitment of suitably
skilled people; institutions; the regulatory regime; a European
space policy and the Common Foreign and Security Policy; and the
International Space Station. The introductory summary to the response
neatly encapsulates the Government's views on the Green Paper
issues and on a European space policy:
"The UK welcomes the Green Paper's important
questions and its consultation process as an opportunity to influence
debate on the future of the European Space Sector. Space is vital
at a European level for information and communications systems,
policy delivery, service provision and research. This response
stresses the importance of a user-focused approach in all areas,
and foresees no increase in public spending on space-related RTD
without this. It recognises the need for positive action at a
time of rapid evolution of the European space sector, but notes
that space is not a 'special case' as regards competition
rules or free market forces, including in the sphere of industry
restructuring and launcher capability. Equally, it notes the need
for positive action as regards the evolution of institutional
arrangements, stating the case for a review for the European Space
Agency's and the European Union's internal rules, roles and external
methods of cooperation, and how these might best complement each
other. In the context of changes to funding mechanisms, it notes
that the introduction of funding by the European Union, other
than user-led, would be likely to be accompanied by a corresponding
decrease in Member States' investments, and stresses that it would
be unacceptable for the financial responsibilities incurred by
States on optional ESA programmes to be transferred to European
Institutions. It recognises the defence capability of space systems
and notes that it could be put to the service of any eventual
European CFSP if needs required it. These positions are in keeping
with the pragmatic and user-oriented nature of UK Space Policy
as outlined in the 'UK Draft Space Strategy: 2003-6'."
Conclusion
15.5 As we noted in our earlier Report,
this document is a significant step in developing a European space
policy. As the Minister said then a number of important issues
are raised, some of which go beyond the question of a European
space policy and impact on wider issues.[45]
It seems to us that the Government's response to the Green Paper
should encourage a full appraisal of these issues, which we would
hope to see reflected in the Commission's White Paper.
15.6 We are content to clear this document
now. But we give notice that it is probable that we will in due
course recommend the White Paper for debate.
43 See headnote. Back
44
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation to provide and promote
space science, research, technology and applications for peaceful
purposes. It has 15 members: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Greece has applied to join. Back
45
See headnote. Back
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