Spaceflight Sector 2022-11-24
2022-11-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises from the Department's recent actions to support the spaceflight industry, including granting a licence to Britain's first spaceport.
What recent steps has the Department taken to support the spaceflight sector? I am grateful for the grant of consent to issue a licence to Britain's first ever spaceport in Cornwall and acknowledge the work being done by my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Steve Double).
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for asking this question. I have granted consent to the Civil Aviation Authority to issue a licence to Britain's first ever spaceport, paving the way for the first ever orbital space launch from the UK, or indeed from anywhere in Europe. The launch from Spaceport Cornwall remains on track for later this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows up on the work done at SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, which has completed its first launchpad and is set for orbital launches of small satellites.
Does my right hon. Friend or any of his Ministers have plans to visit the site where construction is going on of the other two pads? I welcome all new Ministers and join the Secretary of State in congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Steve Double) on the work being done in Cornwall, which is an example along with SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for reminding us of the work that the UK Government do across the whole United Kingdom. The work at SaxaVord is very exciting and I hope to have the opportunity to visit it in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not confirm a specific date or plan for visiting SaxaVord spaceport.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State has announced a visit to Shetland, where SaxaVord spaceport is developing three launchpads for European companies. The island faces challenges in service delivery due to the reliance on ferries.
When he visits, however, he will see the difficulties in developing something such as that on an island that requires the service of two ferries. When he leaves, he might therefore be prepared to support our campaign to have fixed links to replace the ferries in the future. The news that the Secretary of State will visit Shetland for a second time is welcomed by all in the county.
I would be very pleased to visit Shetland again, which my right hon. Friend—I will call him that, as we worked together in government a number of years ago—represents so ably. On his specific point, those issues are devolved to the Scottish Government. However, as has been said from this Dispatch Box, I look forward to working in partnership with colleagues in the Scottish Government to focus on the priorities of people across the United Kingdom, including his constituents in Shetland.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister avoided committing to support for fixed links campaign due to devolved responsibilities.
Response accuracy