1.Who does what ?
2.Budget
3.History

1996 budget in excess of $2 billion

8 December 1995 : François Fillon speaks in the Senate when presenting the budget for his Ministry.

1996 budget in excess of $2 billion

The 1996 budget for the Ministry of Postal Services, Telecommunications and Space is 10.3 billion francs, of which 8.3 billion francs are allocated to civil research and development. This budget has increased by 3.9% with regard to the 1995 rectified law on finance.

This increase does not mean that the Ministry of Postal Services, Telecommunications and Space has been exempted from the French Government's policy of reducing the public deficit which remains a priority. This is confirmed by the major restructuring that has been carried out, especially in the space sector.

This budget is, therefore, based on determination and courage.

It fully expresses the four priorities defined by the Ministry. These are :

- to promote new information technologies and services so as to bring France into the information society to gain its rightful place in worldwide information networks ;

- prepare for the beginning of competition in the telecommunications sector on 1 January 1998 ;

- pursue efforts to modernise and consolidate the public postal service ;

- set new targets for French space policy.