14/01/2016 House of Commons

importance of the integrity and security of e-mail systems. I give

assurance to the House that this is indeed the case. Point of order Mr

Chris Bryant. The leader of the House has twice that that the

student Finance measure that was being considered at 11:30 a.m.,

there will automatically be a vote of the whole House, on the remaining

orders of the day. But is not the case. I would say this gently to the

leader of the House commie does not understand the rules in rel`tion to

this. Because it is going through a negative process, unless thdre is a

motion carried in the House which says it should not pass into law by

the 23rd of January, which has to be tabled by him or the governlent it

could in theory be tabled bx us on opposition day. Unless it is

formally tabled, it cannot come to pass. I would say to the le`der of

the House, he should not inadvertently mislead us by

suggesting this will happen automatically. If he is sayhng he

will table a motion and allow for a debate, we will be very grateful,

but he should not inadvertently mislead the house. I'm sure the

shadow leader is not inadvertently making a speech to the leaddr of the

House, ease asking for my gtidance, House, ease asking for my gtidance,

which I'm very happy to provide If that guidance happens to cohncide

with his own interpretation of matters, he would dance arotnd the

mulberry bush in celebration. Let me tell the honourable gentlem`n what

the position is, voting conditions are being debated in the colmittee

upstairs as we speak. As a reference upstairs as we speak. As a reference

moved by the ministers. A motion against the regulations, I'l sure

the House is with me so far, that is a prosaic procedure. It is open to

ministers to bring forward the prior four decision in the House without

forward by the position on `n further debate. Or it can bd

forward by the position on `n opposition day for determin`tion by

the House. That is the situ`tion. If the honourable gentleman is

quizzical, I would not wishhng to remain so. Very grateful for your

not sure whether you heard that the guidance, can more guidance? I was

not sure whether you heard that the deputy leader of the House said that

is what is going to happen. That is not what the gunmen have saxs. That

they will bring forward a motion, so there is a vote. Does not h`ppen

automatically, the government has to decide it is going to do it, as I

understand it. If the leader of the House would nod to say that is what

they are going to do... The honourable gentleman is an dxtremely

important member of this Hotse, nobody is more keenly conschous of

the fact that the honourabld gentleman, but it is not for the

honourable gentleman to seek to persuade, cajole or seek people to

nod. If the Leader of the House or the deputy leader wishes to give a

clear indication to the House of the clear indication to the House

government's intentions in respect of this matter, or the centrality or

otherwise of the chamber to the resolution, either of them `re

perfectly free to do so, but neither of them is under any obligation A

case of speak now, if not forever hold your peace, for the tile being

do so. I did not hear the ddputy leader. I'm not going to announce

the business to the House, but it is the case as you already said, any

member can go and participate in that debate now and it is for the

gunmen to decide whether to bring it forward, as he pointed out hn your

guidance. I think we will ldave it there for now. Right honour`ble

members and honourable membdrs will thank her for what she has said If

there are no further points of order, we come very shortly to the

public administration and Bernard Jenkin, the

public administration and Constitutional affairs commhttee

will speak for no more than ten minutes, during which time, I remind

colleagues, no interventions may be taken. At the inclusion of this

statement, I will call membdrs to put questions on the subject of the

statement, and call Mr Bern`rd Jenkin to return to these in turn.

Members can expect to be called only once. Interventions should be

questions, and should be brhef. The front may take part in questioning.

I now call the chair of the public administration and Constitutional

Mr Speaker, grateful to the House, Mr Bernard Jenkin. Thank you

backbench business committed for the opportunity to make this st`tement

on the report into our brief enquiry into the appointment of the UK

delegation to the Parliamentary assembly to the Council of Durope,

published today. When the mdmbership of the new delegation was announced

in November, there was some disquiet amongst some honourable members

including myself, about the way the delegation was chosen and appointed.

Concerns were raised by colleagues and the media, that the way some

conservatives voted to defe`t the government into the amendment into

influenced those decisions. It has influenced those decisions. It has

been established practice until this Parliament for the existing members

to choose to retire from thd delegation and potential new members

to express interest in joinhng. This was not the case in November, when

certain right honourable melbers and honourable members were removed from

the delegation. Some of those removed wanted to continue,

including my right honourable friends for Christchurch, Alersham

and Gainsborough. The House should note, my right honourable friend for

Chesham and Amersham is a mdmber, and excused herself from thd

committee proceedings of thhs matter. In electing a new ddlegation

for the present year, which saw a backbench vote defeated. Thd

committee resolved to invitd the leader of the to give oral dvidence

on the matter. We also recehved written evidence from my frhend from

North Thanet, the newly appointed leader to the delegation for the

Council of Europe. We received very late in the process written evidence

from my right honourable frhend from Christchurch, we completed `nd

resolved to make a report bdfore the evidence reached me all the members

regret this. His evidence is regret this. His evidence is

nevertheless published on otr website, and it would not alter the

substance of our recommendations, but speaks for itself. The

Parliamentary assembly to the Council of Europe does not restrict

how delegates should be appointed. The rules committee states states

that they are elected and appointed from the members of each party in

such manner as it shall dechde. At present my committee heard

Conservative Party user system based on patronage of the leader, the

so-called usual channels, the whips office. As such, we concludd the

government has not broken any rules of the assembly. Although the

recommendation is that the TK Parliament should review with the

utmost diligence the way thd committee is elected, and bring it

fully into line with UK democratic principles. Mr Speaker, this

Parliament is not bound to take any action on that advice. Nevertheless

we recommend the House should revise the way delegates are chosen in

future on the basis this is how a great Parliament makes decisions,

and we should represent a hhgher standards of democracy and

accountability to our fellow European parliamentarians. We

recommend that in future thd delegation should be elected, not

appointed by the Prime Minister as now, and moreover elected bx the

House of Commons membership, similarly to select committdes, also

reflecting the gender balance. This means the House can object to

delegation members deemed unsuitable, as is the case with

motions on the appointment of select committees. This has not bedn the

committees, it seems only rhght that of the elections of select

this extends the Parliament`ry delegations. Future delegathons

should be choosing by three fair and open elections. Subject to this the

procedure committee can consider how this reform may be fermented to

reflect the gender balance requirement. We also recommdnd that

this system of election could be extended to other delegations, such

as Nato, the organisation of Security and cooperation in Europe,

and to the British and Irish Parliamentary assembly. I vdry much

hope the House will welcome this proposal for democratic reform in

significant Parliamentary significant Parliamentary

delegations and will approvd it soon. Grateful to the chair of the

committee. Thank you Mr Spe`ker yet again we appear to be intruding on

the private grief of the Conservative Party. While I take no

joy in that, can I welcome the statement and the reporter concerns?

It echoes the collective vidw from these benches that the UK ddlegation

to the Parliamentary assembly to the Parliamentary Council of Europe

should be elected on a democratic basis. We welcome the proposals in

the report. Could the honourable member confirmed this is thd first

that only such examination to this House and how it chooses its

Parliamentary delegation. If so and if it is agreed will be inctmbent on

the party opposite to you follow these recommendations? I believe it

is the first time that any review of this procedure has been unddrtaken.

That complies with the requdst made to us by the rules committed of the

matter for the House as to how this Parliamentary assembly.

matter for the House as to how this is taken forward. The House as a

whole. This committee cannot find the house as to how it should go

forward. Maybe the opposition will make time to see that the House has

time to debate our recommendations. Mr Speaker, can I thank my

honourable friend and the mdmbers of this committee for this verx

thorough report? Can I ask him what he intends to do to try and ensure

that his recommendations ard carried forward? Even in the face of

implacable opposition from the government? How can this Hotse of

Commons take control of this issue and ensure that members of the House

Her Majesty's positions shotld take Her Majesty's positions shotld

member of my committee will support that. Can I first say that H'm

delighted to this report, and applaud the chair of the select

committee on what he has sahd? Would he not accept, there has bedn a

cultural change, which is vdry welcome over the last 15 ye`rs in

that millions by the, and the whip that millions by the, and the whip

has more or less disappeared, and that is a welcome change?

I very much agree. People dhfferent expectation as to how these things

should be done now. The present system, and I have in my hand a

entitled appointment to the UK entitled appointment to the UK

delegation for the Council of Europe. Removing one peer and

appointing another. The statement is issued by the Prime Minister. He a

parliamentarian, leader of tp little party. The expectation now hs these

matters should be handled bx two respective houses and not the

decision-making of the execttive. The usual channels means decisions

being made in secret and re`sons not being given and been very lhttle

improve on that. I very much welcome improve on that. I very much welcome

what I write honourable fridnd has to say about people being elected

rather than appointed. We obviously await the government's form`l

response to this report. Has he had any indication is the government

might be sympathetic to what has committee has decided? I can confirm

it was agreed unanimously. The only evidence we have taken from

government is the oral eviddnce we took from the leader of the House.

As we are learning what minhsters private thoughts might be on certain

matters might not reflect what they see as ministers of the House. I

hope the government will reflect on the right committee and the success

of select committee elections and will recognise times are ch`nging.

The idea they would hand out delegate places to members of

Parliament on the basis of grace and favour, these days are over. This

does not win us respect in the does not win us respect in the

Council of Europe or amongst other parliamentarians across Europe to

whom this House should be sdtting an example. As the longest serving

member of the Council of Europe I congratulate the committee `nd the

chairman of the impartial w`y it has dealt with this matter. Nevdr in the

years I have been on the Cotncil of Europe did I envisage a day when a

committee of the Council of Europe would say to the United Kingdom it

has been the gold standard for Democratic integrity for thd past 70

years, that they would say to us the United Kingdom should bring its

standards and democratic accountability up to those of

Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. Thhs has been a shameful period for the

United Kingdom and will the member tell us how he wishes to emphasise

the points in the recommend`tion, particularly the one that it is not

the delegation that is elected, not the leader, but members of the

no part to play whatsoever. We're no part to play whatsoever. We're

going back on the spirit of the right of reforms unless this is

changed quickly. I pay tribtte to the longest serving member of the

Council of Europe. He has bden an enormous fund of institutional

memory of that committee, which is extremely useful. He pointed out to

us during the enquiry his p`rty has a form of elections for its

delegates and provides for the complexity providing a genddr

balance so some of these objections that have been raised we can't do

this are clearly confounded by the experience of his own party. It

would be a mistake to see this episode has brought shame on our

country. He is right to makd comparisons with other countries

that do things better, but the rules committee made it clear that people

might have misunderstood thd confusion of roles we have hn this

House, that the Prime Minister is also leader of the governing party

and set has a parliamentari`n, and the expectation of the more

classical separation and powers does not exist in our Constitution. This

is not a matter of shame for us but I think we are a bit behind the

times now. I think we should be demonstrating how in our own

procedures we expect the best practices and most open and

democratic practices to be `dopted, rather than something that hs from

the age of deference, rather than the age of popular democracx. Can I

also commend the chairman of the committee on this report? I confess

to find it strange the Primd Minister has sought to excltde

troublemakers. Can ask the chairman why he thought the Prime Minister

didn't heed the unfortunate experience of Tony Blair and Robin

Cook when the disastrously tried to intervene and change the

chairmanships of the transport and foreign affairs select commhttee?

Can he explain why this... Without straying too much into Greek

terminology, I think what Prime ministers have, they tend to want to

keep and not give up. I don't think... I think there was perhaps a

failure of imagination about the effects of what they wanted to do,

but it is providing this Hotse was an opportunity to review and debate.

I hope in due course to dechde on I hope in due course to dechde on

how to make sure that we brhng our procedures into the democratic age.

I congratulate him for his statement. This report has been

produced in a timely fashion. He has lifted the stone from the r`ther

murky and grubby world of the use and abuse of government patronage. I

congratulate him for doing that I support his recommendations. We have

a perfect opportunity to eldct all representatives to internathonal

bodies on a full and fair b`sis I think his recommendations should

form part of emotion that could be voted on by this House. Now we have

heard from the Member for Great Grimsby that we have the support of

the opposition front bench. It would be a wonderful opportunity to

demonstrate this House is bdhind his recommendations. I am flattdred by

his invitation. I think it hs important that were I to undertake

to do this I would want somd assurances from those who s`y they

support these proposals that he will make strenuous efforts to m`ke sure

people turn up and vote for them. Very often, we have debates in this

House, few people turn up and the government decides it takes no

notice. I noticed the honourable lady on the front bench nodding and

saying that may well be the case. I will consider it. I hope to bring

forward perhaps a motion th`t is proposed by every member of my

committee. Order. We now cole to the backbench motion on space policy. To

move the motion, I call Philippa Whitford. I beg to move the motion

name of other cross party mdmbers, name of other cross party mdmbers,

as written in the order papdr. The motion, if you read it, you will see

it covers an incredible bre`dth and depth of this industry. And its

amazing potential. I hope over the debate that will be covered by

people from different parts of the United Kingdom. Some people, I have

some fairly sure puns and I would some fairly sure puns and I would

like to register at this pohnt I accept no responsibility. I lay the

blame at the feet of the Prhme Minister who has stripped to using

some pretty shocking puns in recent Question times, from which he needs

to be penitent. Some people who follow the media will be aw`re that

our former Foreign Minister -- First Minister, the Right honourable

member for Gordon, has used as a travelling pseudonym the nale of

that famous captain of the SS that

enterprise. For a debate as important as this, I felt wd should

contact the real McCoy. I therefore have a message to the House of

Commons from William Shatner. Space is one of the last known frontiers.

Mostly untouched eye mankind in his politics. In opening a debate on the

subject, it is my hope you take the subject, it is my hope

tenants of Star Trek's primd directives, to universally `nd

peacefully share in the exploration of it. I wish you all a wonderful

debate. My best, Bill. We also have had, as some people will have seen

on Twitter, a message from George Tokai, otherwise known as Mr Sulu.

Wishing us luck as we venture to the stars. This debate is not a debate

to get the debate on this d`y to to get the debate on this d`y to

honour major Tim Peake, currently on the International Space Station He

is not the first British astronaut. That honour was Doctor Helen Sharman

from Yorkshire in 1991. I fhnd it appropriate that prior to that she

Peake is is our first astronaut will get worse! But what

Peake is is our first astronaut through an increased engagelent with

the European Space Agency. @nd while Helen Sharman was in the mere

station, he is in the International Space Station. Tomorrow, he will

take part in the very first British space rock. This will start

hopefully at 11:30am tomorrow morning GMT and I would encourage

schools and children, youngsters of all ages, to log in and watch this

historic moment. He has been tasked to change regulators on the solar

panels. These are high volt`ge regulators. This what has to be

entirely carried out on the dark side. I am a member of the

parliamentary space committde. We had a great opportunity to have a

private tour of the cosmonatts private tour of the cosmonatts

exhibition in the science Mtseum. I recommend it to all. Be spent four

years negotiating with Russha to bring incredible artefacts to this

country. The space capsule, uniforms of Yuri Gagarin, all sorts of pieces

of real hardware. People in Russia did not know they existed. The thing

that struck me as we went round to museum is that during point of

incredible friction between Russia and the US, and across the world,

back channels always remaindd open. Cooperation always continued on the

International Space Station. In these few years of setting tp this

exhibition, we have seen frhction over Ukraine, Crimea and Syria. If

we can work so well together in space, it would be good if we could

work better together on our. I referred to Prestwick as behng in my

constituency in my maiden speech. It is on the short list for behng

considered as a spaceport. During the election, people would laugh. To

us in this country, we think space is for other people. For thd big

boys. North America, Russia, maybe China. Not as. That is something we

must change. We need to belheve what we can do. Major Tim Peake's mission

will do that. We see interest of schoolchildren, the science Museum

was packed on the day of thd launch with members in this place watching

it live on screen. We hope that will lead to an interest in this subject

and an absolute belief in the space industry in the United Kingdom. The

space industry is new. The TK has a private aviation history. Rolls

Royce, supersonic flight. Wd need to take that to the next step `nd grasp

the opportunity. That industry has changed over the last five xears. I

led to the formation of the UK space led to the formation of the UK space

agency. It is now an industry with a turnover of 11.5 billion and employs

35,000 people. Three quarters of them are graduate jobs. A third of

their production is export. Division of the Department is this should

grow to be a ?40 billion industry. For that, we really need to take

action. I think if it was not a polhtical

decision, there should be no doubt it is touchable. We have a runway

that touches 3.5 kilometres, we are surrounded by sea. We have `

coordination centre which whll allow coordination centre which whll allow

some planning of the airspace, and the relatively empty airspace. We

are close to Glasgow University in Strathclyde. We uniquely have an

aerospace cluster on the airport campus. This contains BAE sxstems,

Spirit systems, all of human are interested in the idea of the

spaceport. Up the road from us is Clive Space, early communic`tion

satellites will weighed tonnes, the size of a double-decker bus. The UK,

through saris Satellites have led the way in reducing 1's the size of

the fridge. That is a step change. It is shown that if the cost of

getting a satellite in spacd is down to the tens of thousands, everybody

is going to want one. We will have is going to want one. We will have

to look at the regulation of that or space will just be full of junk It

enables all sorts of possibhlities. We do not have a domestic l`unch

site. That is why the aim is to have a UK spaceport by 2018. As well as

Prestwick. Despite preconceptions, Prestwick. Despite preconceptions,

20 years of Met Office data shows that Prestwick as the cleardst

weather, compared with Newqtay, which people presume is the closest

contender, low cloud is suffered by Newquay 31% of the time, and only

11% of Prestwick. Less than five kilometre visibility is suffered by

Newquay 15% of the time, and only four percent in Prestwick. H live in

Troon, and can vouch that wd have a weird little weather system known as

the Prestwick hole. You fly into it, drive into it, walking to bd, you

can be surrounded by thick cloud, and you will see a large hole of

pure sky. This has made Prestwick the clear whether airport of the

United Kingdom for decades. I would call on the Minister not just to

look at having one spaceport, I believe this is an industry that is

going to mushroom. I think we need to accept them will be all sorts of

sectors that will develop that we sectors that will

have not even thought of. I think it will diversify. This is a rdal

industry, not the beam me up Scotty, or fretting about crystals that we

see on the telly. This is a multi-billion pound industrx. I

would call on the Minister to be imaginative, and to be bravd. TB

boldly going where no Minister has gone before. Rarely done! I'm sure

you will have about two hours. I would just like to say in closing,

Prestwick is Scotland's first-ever passenger airport, founded by Group

Captain David McIntyre, the first man to fly over Everest. Thhs is the

kind of imagination and drive that we need. I call on the Minister to

please be imaginative, enable this industry across the entire TK, so

that they can live long and prosper. The question is, as on the order

paper, doctor Philip Lee. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. A privilege to

follow the member for Centr`l Ayrshire. I believe we're in same

party, every time you speak I find myself agreeing with you

wholeheartedly on a variety of issues. She will not know, Ladam

Deputy Speaker, my maiden speech in 2010, I rather surprisingly, to some

colleagues, spoke about Newpuay and the space industry, I was advised by

some wise owls in this part, that I should not speak about the space

industry, because I would bd ridiculed as the spaceman of the

House of Commons. A year or so later, I organised a debate in this

chamber, where I discussed the subject of microgravity, and during

that speech, I spoke about the value of protein crystal investig`tion in

space will stop the potenti`l for doing variety of biotechnological

and medical experiments in space, and how this could advance our

knowledge base. I see that lajor Tim Peake is doing all of that now. That

debate in Parliament, I likd to think led to the government's

decision at the time to invdst in decision at the time to invdst in

the European Space Agency programme, and it is that investment which led

to space on the rocket to gdt lots of the International Space Station,

that Tim Peake took. Tim Pe`ke, is expert field, was microgravhty. Why

did I make the decision to lention did I make the decision to lention

the space industry in 2010? Hardly any space industry presence in my

constituents leap. Why do they take time in the House to talk about

microgravity? It was becausd as the honourable member has eloqudntly

pointed out, there is something about space, the exploration of

thereof, and manned exploration in-flight that is so truly

Wherever I go to do visits to Wherever I go to

schools, science, technologx and mathematics weeks, invariably there

are planets, pictures of pl`nets. Pictures of rockets. There hs

something about space and the exploration of space that inspires

young people. There is one statistic that up to 40% of engineers, when

asked why did you do in enghneering degree in University, it turns out

in these individuals by images of space. For me, speaking in what was

in opposition debate in indtstry, I thought it was important to talk

about the space industry, bdcause the future of this great cotntry is

wedded to the importance of science and technology, and it will

the space industry inspires, and in the space industry inspires, and in

love itself is a great succdss, it means as much support as possible

from government of whatever colour. I must say the Labour government of

the past did some very good work. Some significant advances in regards

to UK space policy under thd previous Labour government. I hope

follow suit. Because, as has been and expect that this governlent

follow suit. Because, as has been pointed out, when I made my first

speech, the estimate of the space industry was 6.8 billion, now we're

talking about 11.6. That is in about 5-10 years, to point to an hndustry

that has grown has successftlly you will struggle to find one that has

finally talking about manned space finally talking about manned space

flight, I am vice-chairman of the Parliamentary space committde. I

have been pretty much since I came there, posted in my maiden speech. I

have pushed back when I talk about the value of manned flight. It is

this sense that space is thd robbers, not for Britain. The

exploration of space is verx expensive, we have other thhngs to

concentrate on. Let's remember the Apollo space programme, for every

dollar spent by the US government on that space programme, there was a

$13 return. Remarkable return on that investment. Not yet in

financial terms. In December 19 8, a famous photograph was taken on

Apollo eight by Bill Anders, the value of that photograph cannot be

calculated in financial terls. Think about where the environment`l lobby

with the in the welcome if ht did not have a photograph of thd picture

of the Earth from the moon. Imagine the feeling of those astron`uts

putting their hand up, hiding the earth with their fun, our pdrception

of this wonderful planet was changed by that investment by the US

government. Of course it was driven by a race with the soviet union but

the return was not just fin`ncial, we recognise the fragility of this

planet. How fortunate we were. I would argue, that in the process of

achieving that, placing the first man on the moon in July 1968, man

rediscovered the value of exploration. Now we are facdd with

the next challenge, to placd a person on the surface of Mars. Maybe

it should be a woman. Incre`singly using women in fighter jets, the

ability to withstand G forcds. Maybe it is a woman who stands first on

Mars. I think Britain should be part of that. The cost of it, it may seem

large, but in proportion to the rest large, but in proportion to the rest

of what we spend our money on as a nation, and as a world, if we are

not about trying to explore space, push back our boundaries of

knowledge, discover things we did not know we were going to dhscover

in the per test, then what on earth are we about the species? Space is

an exciting subject, it is truly inspirational, in a way that I

cannot think of another subject that is so inspirational. I think the

British government of whatever colour in the future should play a

greater part of it, and recognise the government has a role to

mitigate the risk, that private investment alone will not bring it

about. If we were to do that, this country has a very bright ftture

indeed. Thank you Madam Deptty Speaker. This is the first time I

have been called without a formal time-limit, I will do my best not to

go to infinity and beyond. Can I thank the members of the Hotse who

have co-sponsored this notion, and the backbench business commhttee,

for giving us the time to h`ve this debate at relatively short notice.

At a very opportune moment, as my honourable friend for Centr`l

Major Tim Peake mixes spacewalk I Ayrshire has said, the day before

Major Tim Peake mixes spacewalk I am stand the likes of the ddbates by

the member for Bracknell notwithstanding, this is thd first

time the House as a whole h`s considered space policy since 2 05,

when there was a debate in Westminster Hall. Very timely

indeed. Great to hear the ilportance of today's deliberations ard being

Captain Kirk and Mr Sulu hilself. Captain Kirk and Mr Sulu hilself.

Our very own Star Trek fan, who normally occupies the spotlhght

standing in, sends us his bdst wishes. When it comes the space

wishes, there is a line between science fiction and science fact,

and vice versa, perhaps I whll come back to that later. Also appropriate

to finish this week when thd English laws for English people mandate has

discuss the House of Lords. There discuss the House of Lords.

are regulations for activithes in outer space to the Parliament of the

United Kingdom. If a star m`n waiting in the sky were to read

that, he would question whether this Parliament has the power to regulate

the infinite majesty of all creation. Although I'm sure there

are some members that think it The notes make clear that the

reservation specifically applies to matters regulated by the Outer space

act, 1996. That act gives effect to a number of international treaties

regarding exploration, and for want of a better word, the expectation

about as AIDS. The principlds behind those treaties are hugely ilportant,

particularly the concept in the 1967 United Nations outer space treaty,

the exploration and use of outer space will be carried out for the

benefits and interests of all countries, and shall be the province

of all mankind. Outer space, including the moon

celestial bodies are not subject to national appropriation by claims of

sovereignty or any other me`ns. The member for Central Ayrshire spoke

powerfully about the role that the development of the Internathonal

Space Station played throughout the years of the Cold War, demonstrating

global corporation was posshble even at a time of significant political

tension. The ISS has been ddscribed as the most complex scientific and

engineering project in history. The larger structure humans havd ever

clear night, if not by the naked clear night, if

eye, through binoculars or ` telescope. The result of

collaboration between five different space agencies, representing 15

different countries. Permandntly occupied since the second November

2000. Just over 15 years. Rdmarkable achievement. Interesting to hear the

minister recommit to these principles of space law, in

particular if he could offer recollection to the recent

legislation passed in the United States, recognising the right of US

have taken from asteroids. @ number have taken

of academics and observers have expressed concern, especially if

other countries follows seat. The senior lecturer in Internathonal and

commission all law at the University of Kent has said the US space act

2015 represents a full frontal attack on is space law, and from set

-- and presents wild West principles. Space should not be for

any expectation excluding anyone for the benefits they can provide. The

motion before Rascals the scientific, cultural and

technological opportunities. In drafting the motion will be very

careful to list those aspects of space declaration and opportunity

before we spoke about econolic impact of the space industrx. The UK

space trade association itsdlf says the government must ensure hts

position then think the bal`nce between economic growth, excellent

science and inspiration of xoung people.

I was particularly struck bx Nasa using the hashtag, children will

never know, when the images were first beam back from Pluto, they

will never know a day where they didn't and couldn't see images of

Pluto in such great details. Sadly children born today will never know

the thrill of the space shuttle who which will certainly inspird me I

remember watching the final launch of Atlantis back in 2011 and

thinking of all of the diffdrent things going on in the world and I'm

happy to give way. Apologies for being a bit of

first British-born astronaut to walk in space, was Michael Foale who was

on the US space shuttle. I think that is a fair point, I think it is

important to recognise a huge achievement, from all of thd

different astronauts, and dhfferent heritages from different part of the

United Kingdom. I certainly date think there is any intention to play

trump. Is it not the case to mention that the gentleman changed his

nationality, he had dual nationality, rather than flxing with

it on his suit? I think the honourable member for centr`l

airshow was right to page of the two Helen Sharman, if they want to look

at biographies. The shuttle programme was a huge inspir`tion to

many people and a sad loss. I think that we are going

have been a number of highs as we have mentioned recently. To hear

that there were 15,000 people attending specific launch events,

just before Christmas including those of us who were in the Jubilee

room and later over in portcullis house, it gives a demonstration of

how the International Space Station continues to serve as an

inspiration. Many of us who watch the amazing opening ceremonx of the

Glasgow Commonwealth Games, will remember that just as we thought it

couldn't get any mods are r`ting, a live broadcast from the ISS was

beamed down, on Glasgow Gredn, with thousands of other people on that

great day celebration. And ` real coming together, exactly thd kind of

inspiration that the honour`ble member was talking about. Coming

together from all over the world, in sporting endeavour being supported

by their fellow human beings thousands of miles above us. It was

particularly appropriate th`t they made that appearance becausd

have heard, and will continte to hear, there is a significant role

that Glasgow and Scotland play in the modern space industry and space

science. In December my old university Strathclyde, held the UK

colloquium, joined by the Scottish Cabinet Secretary. Delegates visited

two of the companies, which specialise in cube satellitds and

technology and data. At that event, the First Minister has strongly

backed calls that we have hdard and no doubt will continue to hdar, or a

spaceport to be located in Scotland and pledging that the Scotthsh

Government will do whatever it can to ensure that one of those events

is successful. In my own constituency, the Universitx of

Glasgow has one of the UK's leading centres for space science. Space

Glasgow brings together over 20 academics from a range of

disciplines to coordinate rdsearch under the key themes of exploring

and under Nanning space, Mission analysis, risks and technology. A

particular discovery has bedn helping in the Lisa Pathfinder

spacecraft, it marked over ` decade of work from the teams, for the

Institute of graduate research, which helped develop a bench, very

complex technology. A laser, developed, built and tested by the

University. My member is congratulating me on my

pronunciation, next to me. Ht is an outstanding scientific achidvement

in its own right, and will no doubt inspire generations to come with

images and knowledge that the Pathfinder will produce. If my

honourable friend could explain to the house what that is? It hs

something that measures Picos. LAUGHTER

But I have heard resurgent space science and technology, likd any

academic discipline costs money and require certainty. I would be happy

to back calls from the rese`rch for a greater transparency in the

relationship between the UK space agency and the research council with

regard to funding decisions and it would be useful to hear frol the

Minister on how the governmdnt is actively engaging with thesd

cutting edge of this import`nt technology. Much of this technology

has an impact on our day-to,day lives especially in the West, we

rely on satellite technologx for everything from weather fordcasting

to mobile phones, but we have also spoken about the inspiration space

exploration can provide. It is important that governments hn the UK

and Scotland continued to stpport science and technological education

as well as initiatives such as dark technology industries we must also

remain vigilant, about the risks of space debris. Too many of otr oceans

and geological economic systems are poisoned with the un-thinking

results of technological process and the same must not be allowed to

happen in nearby or outer space Indeed those of us on social media

would have seen a bit of media activity, about Nasa

recruiting a planned three defence officer, that is not as outlandish

as that might sound. It is not simply a risk of asteroids, I know

previous members no longer with us used to champion these issuds in the

house. Nearer objects, if they are not properly managed, like

satellites, there is a risk of them crashing into population centres.

Does the honourable member know that there is a piece of British

technology that is being developed that can be booked into space to

capture space debris and brhng it back to Earth? That

helpful contribution, and I think that it demonstrates again, the

point that we are making about the importance of the space indtstry not

just to the economy, but to the greater collective good. I spoke of

the relationship between schence fiction and science fact, N`sa has

collaborated successfully in the production of the movie, thd Martian

about a man stranded on the but it is based on a very rdalistic

understanding of the technologies of signs that would be involved on a

mission to the red planet. Hn the very little free time that H have

had over the last 18 months, reading through the Mars trilogy, which is

rightly described as a future history. Written in the 1990s with

tremendous foresight and forensically researched, after

reading it for several hours you could walk out and look at the

window and expecting martian landscape. It is also well written

study, of the possibilities open to mankind, starting to build `n

economy and politics from scratch. There is so much to commend and

learn from from how science fiction authors have used space exploration

to reflect on our current e`rthbound conditions. This is a very valuable

opportunity for debate and H look forward to hearing further

contributions from members `nd response from the Minister,

ensuring the neutrality and common particularly on the questions

ensuring the neutrality and common access, support for education and

science, the preservation of dark skies and the minimisation of space

debris. We talked about nationalities and laying cl`im, I

think Scotland lays claim to one astronaut so far, Brian Binney who

was brought up in Aberdeen `nd Stirling and has test pilotdd a

number of space flights, let us hope that the inspiration from the many

and growing space missions, willing courage more young people to pursue

careers in long we will see more astronauts

from Scotland and indeed across the UK, contributing to the comlon good

of humanity and having the opportunity to explore strange new

worlds. And if Hansard allows split infinitive is, to boldly go where no

one has gone before. Thank xou very much Madam Deputy Speaker, H will

put the case for Cornwall today We have heard a lot about Scotland and

we did hear references to Ndwquay in the opening speech. So I just want

to put on record and make mdmbers aware that Cornwall is alre`dy the

home of the error club. Newpuay has a runway, that can take the very

fastest and the largest civhlian and military planes. Formerly the home

of RAF St Albans, new key is in an ideal location, for the new space

hub. We have also in the wider area of Cornwall, got a lot of knowledge,

and history, relating to sp`ce. We had the first dish, antenna one

nicknamed Arthur, operating in 962, to link with Telstar. Which led the

way in UK communications. In my own constituency, I have got thd Caledon

Observatory. Ken and Muriel Bennett funded it themselves, and it is an

ideal location, or take fantastic photographs which are published in

skies on Bodmin Moor. I didn't skies on Bodmin Moor.

intend to make a contribution today Madam Deputy Speaker, but I did feel

that I should point out that Cornwall has an extremely good case,

it is one of eight locations, that is being considered. And I just

felt, that I wanted to make the case as a Cornish member of Parlhament to

say, that we are still therd. This bid would actually be reallx good

for Newquay, but not only that, it would be absolutely superb for the

county that I call home. Th`nk you very much Madam Deputy Speaker. Jim

Shannon. It is a pleasure to speak on this, and it is always a pleasure

to hear the honourable lady for Central Ayrshire, and I look very

much forward, to hearing her on health issues which she brings up, a

wealth of knowledge to this house, and her contributions are always

very much worth listening to. We can always learn from them, that is why

I always enjoy them, I want to say thank you very much. I have found

out today that the noise gods beyond health issues, it goes into space

policy and where man has never gone before. But nonetheless herd we are,

Minister in his place. I can is always rain

Minister in his place. I can honestly say without fear of

contradiction, that if the Linister is on the house, I will be on the

other side, vice versa whendver the occasion arises.

It is good to look at this often overlooked issue. This issud is not

absolutely pertinent to Northern Ireland at the moment but I would

like to make sure the province is part of strategy on the space sector

going forward and that is why I want to contribute and put a marker down

and make it clear we can be a part of, we have one of the youngest

forces in the United Kingdol of Great Britain and Northern Hreland

and the Minister knows that. We have well educated people with hhgh skill

set which could benefit frol jobs in this sector. I think it could

address the brain drain affdcting Northern Ireland, and we nedd to get

to grips with it. Maybe the Minister can tell us how the space policy can

interact with Northern Irel`nd and how we can get some of the benefit

and how we can be part of that in educating Great Britain and Northern

Ireland, Better Together, as the minister would say. It is good to

see us united in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

Ireland. I am happy to give way He will be aware of stories mentioning

Stornoway as a great place `nd it was mentioned before as well. It is

a fantastic place, Mullen hdad, near Northern Ireland, for space

adventures. He was waxing about black puddings! It is always good to

have a response from a friend. In making sure it has a place hn

Northern Ireland, the space sector, it will go some way to addrdssing

the brain drain issue of too many young people. I would like to hear

from the Minister how we can connect with Northern Ireland better in this

policy. We have a proud history in Northern Ireland in relation to

maybe not to space policy dhrectly but certainly air flight. Hdnry

George, better known as Harry Ferguson, an Orangemen, was noted

for his role in the sector `nd was the first Ulster man, the fhrst

Irish man to build and fly his own aeroplane. The first airport in

Northern Ireland was in my constituency, built in about 19 0.

Again we have a fantastic and the bombard ear has been

established for many years `nd I think there is a role for that

aircraft company to play in space policy and development. Thex should

be a part of it and I wish to see it happening. This sector is

fundamental to the future economy as a whole. I welcome the strategy as a

goal of having be space sector contributing some 40 billion a year

to the UK economy by 2030. H think the point I tried to make in my

opening is that at the moment this is talking about UK spaceports, and

I think there will be different set those. One sector which will come in

the not too distant future will be hyperbolic suborbital flight. When

we get past the Virgin Galactic plane and rocket, we will actually

have a combination of jet and rocket engines which will go from

standstill to orbiting and back down. We could fly to Japan in a

short period of time. Different sites around the UK might h`ve

totally different routes and should be enabled and not locked. H thank

her for that significant and important intervention. It sets the

vision we should all have in this House for the way forward. H think

there are no barriers to wh`t we can do when it comes to this. Some of

the things in Star Trek, thdy are not possible, are they? I look

forward to that moment. I look forward to the developer and when we

can travel from a to Z, Belfast to Heathrow in seconds. If that is ever

possible we can be here and back a couple of times and do business at

home and here in the same hour. Is it possible? We hope it may happen.

been discovered, I am mindftl of the been discovered, I am mindftl of

first time and stepped on the Moon, one small step for man and one giant

leap for mankind. What that did for me and I think many others, it cast,

given the immensity and sizd of the universe that God created, `nd also

for me and I think for many others, it focused upon the fact th`t with

God 's power he is in total control of the universe. The historhcal one

small step for man and one giant leap for mankind,

taken from the Isle of Man ` number of years ago, those in the hndustry

said only the United States, Russia, China, India, rise above thd Isle of

Man for getting the next person onto the moon. It goes to show that if

the will is there you can achieve often quite a long. I thank him for

his intervention. I believe in what he want to achieve and that goal is

achievable if you want to m`ke it happen. The deregulation is a good

developed which will encour`ge the UK to be more competitive in the

future industry. I think it is important to make sure we are world

leaders in terms of offering somewhere for the industry to do

business. We will be part of it across the United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland. The space intervention strategy was a

welcome the moment with a partnership between industrx,

government and academia, growing at making use of sp`ce

related opportunities. This debate is so important, because of the

possibilities. I think we are all excited by the possibilities of what

can be achieved. While therd are incurred in developers in the last

palm and it is disappointing, I have to say, that it is not menthoned in

the manifesto of 2016 -- 2005, but I am sure the

that and put it clearly to the debate with and policy and strategy.

I hope it is not a sign of taking eyes off the ball. The new

regulatory framework enabled by the Bill will allow to create space

commercial spaceport in the UK by 2018. Again, a marvellous vhsion of

what can happen for the futtre. It is a welcome developed Tom

commercial space travel is hn industry where we can liter`lly

reach for the stars and touch the moon. It is a marvellous light,

James Stewart, lassoing the moon, but we are going to reach the moon

and go beyond it and there hs the possibility of doing that as well.

The value of the space sector in the UK has gone from six billion in

2007, 211.8 in 2014. It has almost doubled and the potential to double

again is here. It will rekindle interest in the

trend will offer commercial space travel and it will make us world

leaders in the industry. I do not know if the member remembers, but he

was one of the few members that attended my German debate on

microgravity. Before that I was contacted primarily from Amdrica on

the subject. They pointed ott it was doing and other companies, the

research area, it had up to $10 billion potential industry growth

there. I think the member is right to point out the potential for the

future in the industry. I do remember that. It was one of those

debates I am known to attend at the odd time. I can remember and

intervention along those lines. About two, four years ago is. I

quite enjoyed, it was quite positive,

Sunday with the radio contact with school and young people. Thd

inspiration it gave young pdople was fantastic and the fact it h`ppened

was fantastic. The young people were inspired and they have that

photograph on the TV show on the schools, and I know it was ` bit

rehearsed, but it was excithng for us to watch and how much more

exciting for the children to have that ambition and inspirational

drive to try and be the next Tim Peake in space? Mail, or felale as

it will be. As we look to obtain secure jobs for the future, we need

more of these elements and ht is a welcome opportunity to contribute to

a debate on this issue of great importance to the future of our

country and the economy as well In conclusion, the new National space

policy, the deregulation Bill and space innovation growth str`tegy are

all signs we are heading in the right direction on this isste. I

think the positivity coming through this debates today will be noted not

just in this chamber but in the membership and outside and further

afield. We can play our part in space travel and space policy moving

forward. I hope from the back of this debate we can obtain momentum

and make sure these plans, ` real developed -- delivery for the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Better Together,

space industry and the future of the economy. Thank you. First, H would

like to thank my honourable friends, the members for Central Ayrshire and

Glasgow for securing this ddbate. Tim Peake's six hour adventtre

tomorrow as part of a team, I tomorrow as part of a team, I

understand, it will replace a solar power connection unit in sp`ce and

will be watched in awe by m`ny children. A cliche has been used

before but it was in that p`ragraph! His iconic voyage in space, living

and working on the Internathonal Space Station has beamed into our

lives. Tweet by tweet, years paid tribute to the star man and he has

sent extraordinary aerial vhews on the planet and space suit sdlls

these. You get a feeling of life on the space station and iconic visions

and views. He raises aspirations to the Fathers frontiers and wd should

make the most of the chance to spark the interest of young peopld in

careers the future. The spirit in which this is presented is to be

much appreciated. There is ` sense that there is potential, maxbe not

just for a single port site but potential for a number of areas a

number of sites in the UK. Ht is of course the case that those lembers

with vested local interests in a possible space port site will

inevitably take the opportunity to set out individual stalls. Ht is our

representative responsibility. But to make sure this fantastic

opportunity arising from thd UK spaceport develop and, it mtst

benefit the UK as a whole. With that semi-apology I must turn to the

possible space port site at a former RAF site. It is a coastal location

surrounded by sand between Cardigan Bay and the hinterland of Snowdonia.

It has a track record of airspace management and operations. Ht

comprises three main runways, the loggers the witches orientated in a

way that flights pass over sparsely populated areas. Unique frol all the

candidate sites, it already has access to 2000 square miles of

segregated airspace over Cardigan Bay. It was bought by the Wdlsh

government in 2004 as a str`tegic asset. Since 2008 it has bedn leased

by the airfield estate on a long-term lease. It has been mostly

used for developing remotelx piloted air systems and on manned adrial

vehicles, often known as drones The most recent initiative relates to

drones for protecting fisheries The site included in the enterprise

zone, facilitating improvemdnts including 1.5 million spent to

upgrade infrastructure, the Civil Aviation Authority has rightly

identified safety operation principle for the

spaceport. It of course applies not just to members of the publhc and

workers using it, but also to the uninvolved public. It implids the

combination of relative isolation, coastal location and segreg`ted

airspace satisfies these requirements as fully as possible.

It is safe to say and others have made the case already, the dconomic

potential for a space walk built in this immediate locality and further

afield is immense. It is to a great degree dependent on

employment and the leisure hndustry. This constituency suffers from

seasonal and minimum wage employment. Although offici`l

figures are low for unemploxment, chronic inactivity is a real issue.

The demographic of the area indicates an ageing populathon as

young people move away for higher education and employment. This is

the price we pay for dependdncy on the seasonal tourism industry, a

shrinking public sector and scanned government investment in employment.

-- limited. It is not just ` local investment in a far western corner

of the United Kingdom. It h`s the potential to benefit all of North

Wales with the educational powerhouses in Bangor, Wrexham, and

elsewhere. It goes much further than bad. The Northern Powerhousd would

have visited element in easx reach. -- than this. It rivals the heart of

Manchester, Liverpool, Birmhngham and London and is the closest

candidate sites to the spacd Gateway in Oxford. It has the potential to

make a real difference to the area and the wider area as a whole. But

we are still waiting for thd governance to bring us out of the

limbo of expectation by providing the operational criteria for the UK

spaceport. It is not possible to move ahead, as we do not yet know

what we are hitting four. It is to quantify in terms of jobs, locally

and further afield. -- biddhng for. It impacts locally. Caravan site in

the area say customers are reluctant to commit to new contracts tnless a

decision is made for the future one way or another.

He happens to live in the ndxt village as well. On the one hand he

tells me, his fellow students, his friends think that this is ` cloud

cuckoo project, each will ndver happen. How could it ever h`ppen

there? Then you could see the flash of hope and realisation, th`t it

could happen here. And they could be part of it. Like Buzz Lightxear we

can turn falling with style into infinity and beyond. Thank xou

Deputy Speaker, it is an honour to Deputy Speaker, it

debate, I congratulate it bding cheery at it. I have to say Madam

Deputy Speaker, there has bden far too many references to Star Trek

instead of Star Wars so let me even it up a bit. Space policy is not

being debated as much as it should have been given how much it is, but

I'm pleased that as a result of the tenacious attitude of the mdmbers

for Central Ayrshire and Gl`sgow North, I think the force has

awakened. As has already bedn mentioned and quite rightly so, Tim

Peake's mission on achievement and I think the whole

house and the whole country wishes him well as he's about to elbark on

his space walk tomorrow. I would suggest that his mission is

important for a number of rdasons. First he is undertaking expdriments

and research which will havd positive applications back on Earth,

a point to which I will hopdfully a point to which

return in a moment. Secondlx, as has already been mentioned, his space

mission undoubtedly inspires and motivates a whole new gener`tion,

rather like the previous generation was inspired by the Apollo

programme. I remember, the words by President Kennedy which I think so

the moon and do the other things. Not because it is easy, but because

it is hard. That inspiration and ambition I think is incredibly

important. Those young people looking at what Tim Peake is doing,

and perhaps even interacting with him as he is conducting

experiments, will have thosd eyes open as to the enormous perhaps

unlimited potential available to them in their lives and carders

Those young people might not necessarily want to become

astronauts, I still have a wish to be an astronaut. As does evdryone in

this debate. But they will see the dizzying potential, the scope for

signs and technology and engineering. I hope that actually

Tim peat's going to last for decades bdcause

young people will be inspirdd by seeing him, and who go on to have an

impact with science technology and research throughout the

21st-century. At the third reason why his mission is so important in

terms of how important it showcases the true British industrial success,

that of the UK space industry. That is ready what I want to focts on in

my contribution. Most peopld walking the streets today will not be aware

that Britain has a space sector People I think the honourable member

for Central Ayrshire, they will thinking member of Nash or possibly

Russia, and they will think of it as putting people regularly into space,

or perhaps seeing missions such as new Horizons, the exploration of

Pluto. Major Peake's journey does dnable us

to highlight success, and also to see this sector grow. I would say to

the minister who I think will agree with me on this, UK space is the

very model of what a modern and successful sector Britain should be

focused on. Inoperative, high-value, providing well-paid and highly

rewarding careers. It taps hnto Britain's strengths based on the

very best science, engineerhng and world-class British research, with a

very clear nod to British excellence, such as legal, financial

and regulatory work. It is rapidly growing throughout the world,

meaning that the British colparative advantage should be used to capture

even more wealth and value for this country in the future. We h`d been

quite canny in this country in quite canny in this country in

identifying precisely where in the space sector, and throughout its

value chain, Britain excels. We have skills it is truly an upstrdam

activities, such as satellite construction. I have been to have

bus in Stevenage and I have seen the great work that goes on, I have seen

satellite is being built, I have also walked on the surface of Mars

which is absolutely fantasthc. But our real strength and potential lie

in the industry's downstreal activities such as use equipment,

services and data and as I lentioned already, our strengths in

professional services such `s legal, regulatory and financial, allows

Britain to lead the world in raising capital, as well as the expdrtise

for example to provide licensing activities which increase in demand

in the future and so Britain is well placed for future growth. The

honourable member for Centr`l Ayrshire and swear do mention these

figures but I think it is ilportant to reiterate how successful the UK

space sector has been in recent years, it generates almost ?12

billion for the UK economy, almost double the value of 2007, the

industry directly employs 37,00 people in this country but ht rises

to 115,000, and one considers the supply chain. UK space as the annual

growth rate of 8.6% since 2008- 009, I think you were in the chahr when

we were discussing yesterdax the structural weaknesses in our

productivity and trade positions, in the debate brought forward by the

SNP. Frankly if all other sdctors were performing at the same rate as

the UK space industry, this country would be doing well. Productivity is

three times the national avdrage, with a value added of ?140,000 per

employee. Exports are twice the national average, representhng about

a third of the turnover. Thhs success bodes well for the future

and the global space industry is set to grow even further to abott ? 00

billion by 2030. The UK space sector's ambitions are challenging

but achievable, the National space policy objectives, Britain has a 10%

market share, dividing ?40 billion of value to the British economy and

employing an additional 100,000 workers by 2030. I hope mad`m Deputy

Speaker that there is real consensus, regardless of party

affiliation for this ambition, backing the government on this,

building on the back of previous support, regardless, to Paul Grayson

who launched much of the prdsent interest in UK space, for the UK

Government. To be fair David Willetts continued that polhcy in an

excellent weight throughout the Coalition Government, providing all

important policy continuity and certainty that transcended

parliament, that allowed confidence to grow and gave potential

investments, insurance, providing much of the successful Brithsh

space. characteristics of the UK space

sector, it high-value, in normative, productive, export focus,

identifying key strengths whthin the sector, building the compar`tive

advantage, securing more global market share. It is assisted by

strong and long-standing partnerships between industry,

government and research, I had to say I do

present government does not want to shout more about the virtues of an

industrial strategy, becausd I think that for the successes of the UK

space industry, an industri`l strategy is being part of that

success. The secretary of State seems to have abandoned such

aspirations with the possible exceptions of the aerospace and

automotive industries. That seems wrong and potentially means that

other productive sectors, and I m pleased that the Minister on the

Treasury benches actually the Minister for life sciences, because

I would single out life scidnces as another great skill, it is `

marvellous sector. Why is in that last as a strategic important sector

to? In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a move away

from grants to loans with the exception of the aerospace `nd

automotive sectors. This dods run the risk, of investment not being

attracted to Britain. For stch a successful and promising sector has

space, this is worrying. Wotld the Minister consider expanding the

definition of the aerospace sector to include space, so that sdctor can

take advantage of the securhty of research funding. It is verx

important when we are taking steps forward, can I suggest to the

honourable gentleman, universities in that, opportunities at that

level, to use expertise and knowledge, so partnership whth

universities as well? I think that is incredibly important, I think the

unique blend that Britain h`s in terms of the strong leadership it

has provided, that partnership between industry and governlent

through the UK space agency. But also, the world-class expertise in

research that we do have as part the university base means that we

are well-positioned, to capture as much market value as possible. I was

talking of some of the asks, will he also accept and I think he will

believe this, that industri`l strategy works. Will he comlit to

ensuring that this sort of `pproach is embraced by the government, solar

sectors such as space and lhfe scientists are exploited for the

benefit of Britain. I mentioned earlier that the National space

policy set out the ambition for 100,000 additional jobs in the space

industry in the next 15 years, I think we would all want to sign up

to that but given the skill shortages in engineering and science

-based instantly, with the difficulty of attracting girls, and

young women to consider stels into college and university and then has

a career, what is the Minister doing to ensure that this barrier to

potential growth in UK spacd is addressed? What further asshstance

in terms of outreach activities and apprenticeship opportunities will be

provided to ensure that we can motivate and inspire girls `nd young

women to think about a caredr in space. I want to finish on criticism

of the space industry, it is often said in these times, that interest

and investment in space is somehow a luxurious body. We

simply cannot afford a big hndustry any more, why are recently hn man

into space when patients ard lying in hospital corridors? I thhnk this

is a false argument, to a v`st is a false argument, to a v`st

extent the UK space industrx is driven by private sector investment,

with something like governmdnt investment averaging over the past

15 years, a ratio of 4.015%, the value created by this industry grows

the economy and increases t`x revenues thereby helping to fund

public services. Research c`rried out in the space industry h`s

positive implications, whether it is satellite technology, food crops,

they can react. And Major Pdake experiments into materials `nd how

himself while on the Intern`tional Space Station was carrying out

experiments to measure pressure in the brain which will give ilportant

future applications in serious trauma. So investment in sp`ce

results in tangible benefits for society. It is not just that cost

benefit analysis, I was strtck by the Commons, by the honourable

member, industry is important. The bottom line is

the honourable gentleman sahd, there is something fundamental to the

human spirit about explorathon of imagination, of being able to

motivate and it is difficult to think of something comparable, to

make sure that we can have that to let our imagination run riot, to

make sure that we can have `n interest in space and giving people

a real look at what space c`n provide is absolutely vital. Madam

Deputy Speaker I think that the space industry is a huge success

story, it has got the potential to grow further and inspire a whole new

generation. It partnership between industrx,

government and research to help achieve that, but I think that the

debate today on how shows that there is a lot of consensus and a lot of

people who want to support them to make sure that the UK space industry

can realise its potential. Thank you can realise its potential. Thank you

Madam Deputy Speaker. I havd got a lot to thank the honourable member,

my honourable friend from Cdntral Ayrshire and Glasgow North four

Anybody who has been observhng me has seen me smiling broadly, this is

an incredibly exciting opportunity, as that young child, playing with

happened. How exciting to bd here in detachable parts, working ott how

happened. How exciting to bd here in the chamber today ska sing the

future of space policy. What an opportunity, it is a shame there is

so much space on the benches. I will try and avoid the puns and conduct

myself with some gravity in this debate. LAUGHTER

But I do want to talk about the exciting opportunities. It hs

innovation and the skills rdquired that I want to talk about most.

There are so many wonders in space and so many things we can ldarn in

space that we can't comprehdnd at this moment in time. Without the

investment that honourable Lembers including for Hartlepool was just

talking about, without the investment in taking the stdp to

make sure we have access to learning those things, how can we hope to

take full advantage of developing as a race in the fullest way possible?

There are stars out there that 500 times bigger our sun. How mtch do we

know at this point in time? BC3 3 Is a star with the biggest electrical

current ever detected in thd universe. Fantastic opportunities to

find out how it we learn about how we conduct our

lives and protect our planet. I am stunned to find out there is a

gigantic rain cloud which is not just the size... Floating in space,

this thing. Not just the size of the this thing. Not just the size of the

Pacific Ocean or whatever btt 100,000 times larger than the sun.

That is an amazing thing to comprehend. We don't know enough

about these things. We do know that we have to take steps, and hnvest. I

would like to mention a couple of lines about the Scottish Government

position because we see hugd potential in Scotland for the space

industry and they and I are pleased on behalf of the UK Governmdnt and

Civil Aviation Authority, bdcause that is something we should do

jointly, looking at this opportunity. They are committed to

supporting innovation and industry and recognise the contributhon of

science in a sustainable economy. The Honourable Member for H`rtlepool

was talking about the opportunities therefore us. Scotland has 06% of

space industry employees, it is an average growing 7.5% per ye`r, these

are encouraging figures and we must do what we can. To make mord of

that. So we are committed to supporting science and technology

development in education so there is also a recruitment exercise in

making sure there are Members to join the advisory Council and

engaging in the world science sector. They are currently

advertising for the post whhch is a credible thing to do and it is right

just now. There are lots th`t the Scottish Government will continue to

do, investing in four science do, investing in four science

centres as well as science festivals across Scotland to promote science

as a career for young peopld. That is where I want to go into lore

detail, because one of the things I was passionate about in the

Highlands in my previous career as a Highlands in my previous career as a

counsellor, was about getting young people interested and lifting their

sights to see the opportunities that are available, not just for us as a

set of countries in these islands, but also for themselves, to go into

rewarding build something important for

themselves. As a new council eight years ago I saw an advert that had

been put out by the European Space Agency calling for the next

generation of recruits to come forward, as an enthusiastic

counsellor I thought I would put out a press conference to encourage

highlanders to come was disappointed that it was met

with scepticism from my colleagues on the council and they thotght it

was a mad idea that I should encourage highland children to get

involved in the space industry. How desperately disappointed was I at

highlighted to me the need to make a that time at thereafter

highlighted to me the need to make a change in people's attitudes.

-- at their attitudes. Therd is a skills Academy starting in the

Highlands which brings together organisations such as the Hhghlands

and Islands enterprise, the Highland Council, and a range of private

engineering firms as well as other non-government operatives in the

Highlands. Encouraging young people from preschool, through thehr

education, and beyond, to t`ke advantage of the opportunitx of

these skills which directly transfer, not just incident`lly into

the aerospace industry, but actually to and from oil and gas and

renewable energy sectors, these can be transferred. There are enormous

opportunities by embracing this into the future. I hope that in future in

the Highlands attitudes will be changed. There is a lot of work to

be done. In this Chamber, in the Chamber in Holyrood and all of the

devolved administrations, to make sure we get the word out to young

people to raise their sights and look for another tuna tea there I

am grateful for my honourable friend from South Ayrshire for raising the

fact that Helen Sharman was the first astronaut from Britain in

space, because that is an ilportant message to repeat. Because ht is

important that we encourage girls and women to consider the

opportunities here. Tim peat is a fantastic ambassador for sp`ce, I

have great respect for what he has done already in a short perhod of

time. -- Tim Peake. But imagine if he had been Tina Peake is the if

that message went out to yotng girls and women, because there ard

systemic problems in our culture of encouraging young girls and women

into engineering just now that must be tackled. I would call on the

Government to join with me `nd others to make sure that we change

that attitude over the coming years. 11th ascent of engineers in the

sector are women, but 21% of engineering graduates focusdd on the

sector are women, the lowest sector are women, the lowest

percentage female employment rate in the sector in Europe and thd lowest

retention rate in Europe when there are significant skills

shortages at every level of the industry. We have heard abott the

fact that many people aren't aware of the opportunities in the space

sector or indeed the aerosp`ce sector. I was delighted yesterday to

meet a woman called Bridget Day the deputy programme director for the

aerospace exploitation programme. I would like to read something that

she said, she said she had worked as an engineer in the aerospacd

industry for nearly 40 years and worked for 30 years in the supply

chain for a heat exchange manufacturer in Wolverhampton,

starting as an apprentice and becoming an engineering dirdctor.

Their personal experience is that there has been little progrdss in

encouraging women into engineering and she currently leads a tdam of

engineers helping with new technologies. In a team of 24 there

is only one other woman. Th`t is a shocking figure, really. Whdn you

think about that. That is shocking that that is happening. What she

says, I quote, I know that engineering is considered dhfficult,

dirty by the general public meaning that young people are encouraged

away from engineering, thinking that it is something not for the future.

The increasingly green views, building on green belt and the

industry is not what my expdrience is, I have a varied working life and

every day something different deeply interested in solving probldms with

new ways of thinking, new possibilities. The amount of new

possibilities is better than ever. And she has capitalised this bit,

and now is a great time to become an engineer. We are very short of

engineers. As a woman in engineers. As a woman in

engineering, I am often the only woman in the room, usually only 5%

of women even at a large evdnt, and there is an assumption that I'm the

secretary not the boss. I rdputation is never a shoe and like a lan's. I

always have to earn it. -- never assumed. One of the things that

could address the issue and I have been allowed to ask two questions

this morning, and I think the Government needs to target girls

only schools and interest them in the engineering industries `s well.

I thank the Honourable Membdr for his point, and the substanthve point

about engaging young girls `nd women in the industry is important, and I

will continue to repeat this in this Chamber until we get it right, it is

something we need to tackle together to make sure they are able... Would

my honourable friend agree that one of the serious issues that really

has not been taken up is th`t we have a major shortage now of STEM

qualified teachers, and the industry can offer more lucrative wages, --

until it can offer more lucrative wages it will impact the nulber

girls coming through. I thank my honourable friend and she is right,

education is the key. I mentioned the science skills Academy to tackle

not just... Influencing children as they are developing and givhng them

opportunities but essentially to try to reach out to society in general,

to say to parents and grandparents, you need to talk about this but also

to education professionals `nd those who make investments, that lead to

recruitment of those professionals, this is something that has to be

taken incredibly seriously. There are stakeholder activities going on

at the moment which are to be encouraged. The women in sp`ce jobs

resource encourages women into engineering jobs. And the committee

was established in 2009. We need to increase public awareness of the

space industry and its valud to the economy. We need to increashng gauge

meant with young people through projects like the Scottish space

School and there will no dotbt be others that are

need to make sure those are going on. Again I would support c`lls for

the need to concentrate funding on research and development. Wd

absolutely need to stop thinking about what's happening

start thinking about opporttnities for tomorrow. We need to work to

increase here support -- pedr support. I will finish by qtoting

Professor Alan Smith, head of the Department of space and physics at

an event with the Scottish Government and Civil Aviation

Authority. He said, Scotland has embraced space, space beers at home

in Scotland and let's make sure that all of our children get the

opportunity to feel at home in space too.

Thank you. It's a pleasure to follow my honourable friend from Inverness.

He made some excellent points at the end there about equality. And the

industry in terms of women. As a civil engineer I chime with that

same, I lack of women. It is doing same, I lack of women. It is doing

its best to remedy that buyhng caging in schools. My honourable

friend also saw yesterday and today, I great advocate for technology and

his enthusiasm shone through in his speech. I would like to also

congratulate the honourable Members for South Ayrshire and

for settling this debate in a timely way. I was with a confession,

anybody that knows me personally will probably be somewhat is a

prized I will be speaking in this space oriented debate. When Mike the

other Members, when I was growing fascination with space. Scidnce

fiction movies didn't do it for me, and although I was born in 0970I am

still to watch the Star Wars movies! Shame shame! At least that shows

they are listening! I'm concerned that my honourable friend as not

watch the early Star Wars movies but is he suggesting that he has watched

the later ones? I have seen one or two... I was taking my children for

a family activity. I couldn't tell you what happened in them. The good

news is, there will be no more puns in my speech. What I would say is

that I appreciate the importance of science and technology in commercial

aspects related to the spacd industry. I am right behind the

proposals for the UK Governlent to your focus for the space sector in

Europe. I applaud the ambithous growth targets as well. Why else am

I speaking in this debate? Ht is great to be able to speak in a

debate where it is not precdded by the words, there will now bd a

three-minute limit on speeches. Some people are probably hoping H do have

a three-minute limit! The real reason I'm participating in

today's debate, is for the `irport to be the space Port Hub. While it

is not my own, I can see the bdnefits

it will bring to the surrounding area in general and I have lany

constituents employed in thd error space industry. We have a 14%

unemployment rate in UK and only recently 200 skilled manufacturing

jobs from a factory in have gone. So you'll be most welcome in mx area.

Although it is an unemploymdnt rate, Escher has got a great pedigree for

engineering, both within my concision sea and the neighbouring

constituency. The honourabld member for Central Ayrshire, I know that

spaceport. We have heard th`t nearby these will expand to serve `s a new

Glasgow, has space technology companies. So, these are re`l

advantages, if Prestwick was chosen. His general we also know th`t the UK

space agency was clear, these space agency was clear, these

activities are much more th`n direct space technology, it covers climate

change, analysis as well as other research. As well as materi`ls, and

plasma physics. I realise, there have already been successful

partnerships in operation, there is no doubt that if Prestwick hs chosen

then that allows the linkagds, with a Scottish universities that are

among the best in the world, so that is our vantage point Prestwhck. If

we look at transport infrastructure, there is a rare harbour nearby,

Prestwick has got a rail hall and a close link to motorway network. For

me in the current short list, Prestwick is easily the most

error space all-party group, one of error space all-party group, one of

the discussion points. Was dducation and having kids prepared in stem and

technology design. I would say that the Scottish Government is laking

great strides, in terms of the great strides, in

curriculum for excellence, `nd the local authority that I was

previously a member of, has a stem previously a member

programme for primary schools and programme for primary schools and

secondary schools. In Scotl`nd there business enterprise

secondary schools. In Scotl`nd there is a wide implications in tdrms of

appreciating that school le`vers must have a greater underst`nding of

the working environment, wh`t would be expected of them, and crtcially

that it is not to get into full time higher education. If you colbine

that, again, Scotland and Prestwick in particular has got a head start

in terms of trying to recovdr in stem and technology design. Ayrshire

is also home to a campus th`t has one recent awards, working hn

partnership with industry. @n excellent example of this, hs a

partnership in order to cre`te partnership in order to cre`te

technicians because industrx technicians because industrx

recognises, there is not enough qualified expertise available for

the maintenance of the wind turbines. Another facet for Ayrshire

College, is a ?53 million c`mpus, due

see fantastic opportunities for see fantastic opportunities for

have heard that Prestwick h`s got have heard that Prestwick h`s got

UK, it does not suffer problems in UK, it does not suffer problems in

the way that others do elsewhere. Also, at present there is not enough

commercial flights from Prestwick, commercial flights from Prestwick,

capacity all logistical isstes, that does mean is that there are no

capacity all logistical isstes, that prevented from being a spacdport. In

fact, let us face it, if thdre is a spaceport at Prestwick, it would

help some of the costs, being covered by Scottish Governmdnt,

Scotland, freeing it up or dlsewhere Scotland, freeing it up or dlsewhere

in Scotland. Ayrshire and al Free in Scotland. Ayrshire and al Free

centre and is also home to the dark sky project, so clear benefhts for a

possible location at Prestwhck. If we go to general terms, the Scottish

Government is clear, and very supportive and positive abott

development in this sector, that was development in this sector, that was

demonstrated recently by Fiona has got's attendance, which was held in

Glasgow just before Christm`s. The conclusions from this event will be

presented to both governments, and presented to both governments, and

I'm confident that will unddrline a case. And in general, if I love

slightly away from Prestwick although I'm reluctant to do so and

motion presented, I would agree I look at the remainder of

motion presented, I would agree wholehearted with the motion, is

actually seems to be one sector where the UK Government is outlining

a positive vision. In the chamber with many colleagues I have often

complained with the need for government to spend more money on

social justice rather than projects that some people classed as vanity

projects, however, what the honourable member from Hartlepool

pointed out, there are clear benefits from this investment,

benefits that would be long,lasting and it is actually be true that

Major Tim peat's Mission cotld inspire another generation of

scientists, explorers, and hn order to allow this to continue, ht is

quite clear that the governlent has to set guidelines for the fhnal bids

for the spaceport submissions, for these two have any chance of being

operational by 2018 and thex also ensure that no momentum is lost The

final decision, making procdss, it must be transparent, it shotld be

nonpolitical and this would allow best value for money in futtre

success. I would say, that the government likes to cut purd

down that route, they could award it proceed, if they don't want

down that route, they could award it to Scotland in general Prestwick. Or

even of hands and that will solvd any

problems. Thank you and it has been a very interesting debate so far and

I thank you, for bringing this through the good auspices of the

backbench committee. I had `n interest in space from an e`rly age

and it proved most useful, `s this government social and fiscal policy

is from another planet and completely alien to me. Howdver we

are here, to discuss somethhng that should not be contentious, with a

fair amount of unanimity. Lhke a lot of youngsters, I grew up fascinated

with the stars, with differdnt planets, and the work of Nasa and

other space agencies. I'm stre that I'm not the only member present who

either that or a football player. either that or a football player.

But you can be sure that wh`t no one was trying to be was an MP. Yet here

we all are, astronaut, football ballerina, we have lost out on our

childhood dreams but that doesn t mean that we can't help othdr kids

to fulfil theirs. This is a dream that many jokes in both girls and

boys have, there is something about space that captures the imagination

from an early age. Many will not quite reach their dream, but it will

undoubtedly lead to a fulfilling career. During the summer rdcess, I

visited a primary school in my constituency and more than half of

that they wanted to be an astronaut that they wanted to be an

when they grew up. I'm sure that members have had a similar dxpress

when they have visited local schools, and I expect this number to

get even higher, it is important work that is the astronaut Tim peat

Speaker, moving onto the economic Speaker, moving onto the economic

benefits, it will no doubt surprise people, that in 2012-13, UK industry

contributed ?5.1 billion to the economy, the same as always. The

latest figures are over ?11 billion and across the UK, it supports

68,000 jobs. It is hoped th`t the industry output will grow to 40

and a half billion, more th`n 3 and a half billion, more th`n 3

companies operate in the market We are talking about the contrhbution

that it makes to space exploration, Clyde space produce a number of

products that are produced by Nasa and the European Space Agency, and

in 24 they contribute ?1.2 lillion, produced for .ca says satellite One

of the things I'm particularly proud of, is a product that was jointly

funded by Clyde and UK spacd agency funded by Clyde and UK spacd agency

and it is the first satellite designed and built in Scotl`nd. It

advanced nano satellite ever made has been described as

advanced nano satellite ever made and Clyde are rightly

innovation. I mention this, it innovation. I mention this,

underlines the point that there are companies throughout the UK,

not only aid the work of thd UK not only aid the work of

space agency but that of thd European Space Agency had N`sa has

well. Madam Deputy Speaker ht is important, to see

to help the scientists and dngineers to help the scientists and dngineers

of tomorrow. But first I wotld like of tomorrow. But first I wotld

to make a wider societal pohnt about dreams. I was struck by somdthing

with the aerospace industry commie that Lord MP said with a medting

with the aerospace industry commie was making the point that in Britain

we tend to stifle ambition `nd the young as opposed to supporthng it.

For too long a significant section of society and I include myself

have had a play it safe, walk before you run, don't get ideas above your

but far too slowly, I did claim to but far too slowly, I did claim to

have the answers but I think we need to acknowledge that fact, to have

opportunity, no matter their the quality of ambition and

opportunity, no matter their background. A good start wotld be

aerospace to formulate a collective aerospace to

strategy and curriculum enh`ncement, that would engage with children