The Wilson Governments Policy Towards ELDO

R. Baker (2000), JBIS, 53, 371-377

Refcode: 2000.53.371
Keywords: ELDO, launchers, politics, Wilson

Abstract:
This paper discusses the formation and motivation behind the Wilson government’s policy towards ELDO. In particular the December 1965 report for the Minister of Aviation, Roy Jenkins, and the assumptions that it makes about the validity of launchers in general and British involvement in ELDO are examined. This examination sustains the argument that the Wilson government wanted to pull out of ELDO from the beginning, and that the only reason that it did not was because of political damage and financial liability. The examination also helps to illustrate why the UK government actively worked towards the demise of ELDO.