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UK Space Policy

: I agree with the hon. Gentleman, but we should remember the base from which we started, and where we were under his Government. That is the difference. Under his Government, science went downwards. I praise the former Minister, the hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr. Taylor), because he did a great job under difficult circumstances when the country's finances were screwed up. The credit goes to this Government, however, because our finances are healthy. That is why we are able to invest in science and technology. I praise the Government, and one of their greatest achievements has been to secure money for science and technology. Much credit goes to our Prime Minister, because he speaks with great passion for science, and to the Chancellor. The ideas that we develop, we translate through action. I support many points that hon. Members have made about the need to spend more money. I am happy to go along with that, but we must recognise what has been achieved. That is important, because it was not always so. Year after year, scientific research grants were cut at universities. That is not the case now because budgets have been growing, which is a great credit to this Government. I agree with some points that the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) made about exploiting the UK's space policy and technology. I am happy with that, because I recognise the contribution that space policy would make, assisting us with the problem of climate change, developing climate model forecasting and dealing with coastal and flooding problems. Climate change will be an important issue during the next five years and more, because it is on our doorstep.