Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Space Sector

Wednesday 16 October 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alistair Carmichael asked the Minister about steps being taken to support the UK space sector.
  • The Minister expressed readiness to meet with Carmichael and companies like Orbex to discuss the sector.
  • The Minister highlighted the UK's specific geographical and skills advantage in the launch sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Business & Trade
Context

The UK space sector is a key area of potential economic growth, with the development of projects such as the Shetland spaceport at SaxaVord.

Question

What steps he is taking to help support the UK space sector. The questioner emphasises that this sector offers massive economic and strategic opportunities for the United Kingdom. He mentions that the SaxaVord project in Shetland is ahead of other projects, highlighting its potential benefits not only locally but across the UK.

Answer from Chris Bryant

I am very happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman, as well as other companies in the sector such as Orbex. The Minister believes that we have a specific geographical and skills advantage in the launch sector which needs to be exploited for the whole UK economy's benefit, including businesses involved from mission control to technological support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for concrete actions or commitments regarding SaxaVord spaceport development but did not receive specific details on what the government would do directly or indirectly to help this project succeed.

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Q2 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The Shetland spaceport project, SaxaVord, is a significant initiative in the UK's space sector. It has advanced beyond other similar projects.

Question

Getting the SaxaVord project across the line will bring benefits to many projects across the United Kingdom. The MP asks if the Minister will meet him and the developers of SaxaVord to discuss what the Government can do, directly or indirectly, to help this project succeed.

Answer from Chris Bryant

The Minister expresses willingness to meet with the right hon. Gentleman, as well as companies like Orbex today, highlighting the UK's unique advantage in the launch sector and its potential impact on businesses across various sectors including mission control and technological support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for specific government actions to help SaxaVord but received only a commitment to meet without details on direct or indirect support measures.

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