TNAG-1422-FCO40-1905-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 196

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be sited and considered that this needed further discussion

with the other partners.

31.

The two sides looked forward to the signing of a

Memorandum of Understanding on Spallation Neutron

Source/European Synchroton Radiation Facility. They had agreed to come back to this in the margins of the Research

Council meeting on 10 December. The Italians were also

expected to sign.

32. On Space the Ministers had agreed to keep in close touch

over the main projects (Ariane V, Hermes, HOTOL).

33. The percentage increase recommended by the Commission

for the EC Research and Development Programme was too

ambitious. Less relevant projects should be dispensed with.

A decision on environment and raw materials was not likely at

the 10 December meeting. On the Joint Research Centre the

Commission had mismanaged the finances. The Ministers had agreed that there should be a special meeting of the governing body to consider whether it should be put on the agenda for

10 December.

34.

M. Curien confirmed that France and Germany saw

advantages in Strasbourg as the base for a "light" Eureka secretariat. On space he wished to see Franco-British co-operation strengthened and the UK take a significant share in Hermes. He thought there was now also better understanding

of the HOTOL programme.

TRANSPORT

35.

Mr Ridley reported on the timetable for decision on the

Channel Fixed Link. By 17 December there should be a report

from officials on the advantages and disadvantages of the four schemes which had passed the qualifying conditions. There would follow a submission to Heads of Government; meanwhile public speculation on the respective merits of the schemes

should be avoided. The aim was to announce a decision in

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