Continuation Of E.L.D.O. Urged

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31087, 16 June 1966, Page 15

Continuation Of E.L.D.O. Urged

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) PARIS, June 15. The Parliamentary assembly of the Western European Union yesterday urged member States to press ahead with Europe’s space programme—the enterprise from which Britain has threatened to withdraw because of rising costs. A resolution adopted by 46 votes to 10 urged participating States to overcome difficulties which might prevent them from taking part in the project. The 10 votes against the resolution were cast by eight Labour members of the British Parliament—who objected to E.L.D.O. on financial grounds—and two French deputies.

An Italian member of Parliament abstained. British Conservatives and the Liberal peer Lord Gladwyn, voted in favour. Britain is to give her E.LJJ.O. partners at a meeting in Paris on July 7 and 8 her final decision on whether or not she will continue in the E.L.D.O. project Compromise Formula Under a compromise formula worked out at an E.L.D.O. Ministerial meeting here last week, Britain's share of the £lsom programme would be reduced by nearly 13 per cent to 27 per cent. The W.E.U. resolution urged member States to prepare for the inclusion of a permanent launcher development organisation within the

framework of the future single European community, to take effect at the same time as the merger of the present communities (Common Market, Euraton and Coal and Steel).