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Written question asked by Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 July 2023 (named day). It was answered by George Freeman (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Spacecraft and Submarines: Regulation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on enhancing regulation of (a) commercial and (b) experimental technologies for (i) marine and (ii) outer space experiential excursions.

Answer

MARINE EXCURSIONS

The Government can only regulate vessels in UK waters, and UK-flagged vessels wherever they are in the world. There are no regulations covering deep-sea submersibles used in international waters, and there is only one submersible listed on the UK flag. No non-UK-flagged manned civilian submersibles operate in the UK.

The Government does not have plans to review the UK regulatory regime here.

OUTER SPACE EXCURSIONS

The Space Industry Act 2018 (the 2018 Act) and Space Industry Regulations 2021 (the 2021 Regulations) provides the legislative framework for the licensing of space activities, sub-orbital activities, and associated activities carried out in the UK, including sub-orbital missions involving human occupants.

However, the Government does not have plans at present to permit, and therefore has not commenced provisions in the 2018 Act for, the licensing of orbital spaceflight involving human occupants; or the licensing of spaceflight activities involving hypersonic (or any other experimental) transport from one point to another (A to B).

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
191345
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Private sector Regulation Safety Submarines Spacecraft
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk