: I wonder why the hon. Gentleman thinks that the French and the Germans spend so much more than we do. Does he not think that we are missing a trick, that it is an investment and that it would benefit us if we spent more?

: I wonder why the hon. Gentleman thinks that the French and the Germans spend so much more than we do. Does he not think that we are missing a trick, that it is an investment and that it would benefit us if we spent more?

: 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...

: 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...

: Ribble Valley.

: Ribble Valley.

: How could I ever forget the famous by-election? We were both part and parcel of it. The hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) made a doom-and-gloom speech, attacking the Government's science and technology policy. I do not want to make the debate partisan, but the hon. Gentleman has...

: How could I ever forget the famous by-election? We were both part and parcel of it. The hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) made a doom-and-gloom speech, attacking the Government's science and technology policy. I do not want to make the debate partisan, but the hon. Gentleman has...

: I hesitate to say that I agree with the hon. Lady, but it is good that we have cross-party consensus on driving space industry forward because we all realise its importance. One difficulty is that different Departments contribute, and in this debate we can impress on the Minister the...

: I hesitate to say that I agree with the hon. Lady, but it is good that we have cross-party consensus on driving space industry forward because we all realise its importance. One difficulty is that different Departments contribute, and in this debate we can impress on the Minister the...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

: No. We want to focus attention on the fact that the European Space Agency ministerial meeting is coming up.

: No. We want to focus attention on the fact that the European Space Agency ministerial meeting is coming up.

: No. The hon. Gentleman's party has been in power for eight years. I do not want to make this debate party political. His hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton led on the figures about how much DEFRA is spending and the total budget compared with other countries. We have...

: No. The hon. Gentleman's party has been in power for eight years. I do not want to make this debate party political. His hon. Friend the Member for Nuneaton led on the figures about how much DEFRA is spending and the total budget compared with other countries. We have...

: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

: The hon. Lady is making an excellent speech and I agree with every word that she utters, so I will call her my hon. Friend. Does she agree that we are not talking big bucks in terms of Government spending? We are talking about the difference between a commitment...

: The hon. Lady is making an excellent speech and I agree with every word that she utters, so I will call her my hon. Friend. Does she agree that we are not talking big bucks in terms of Government spending? We are talking about the difference between a commitment...

: No, I will not give way. As far as space technology is concerned, we have advanced in the past eight years, but we ought to do much more. I shall finish, as I want other Members to have the opportunity to speak. I am thinking about the excitement that...

: No, I will not give way. As far as space technology is concerned, we have advanced in the past eight years, but we ought to do much more. I shall finish, as I want other Members to have the opportunity to speak. I am thinking about the excitement that...

: Will the hon. Gentleman join me in congratulating Glasgow on securing the international astronautical congress 2008? It is exactly the sort of opportunity that the Government should make the most of to enthuse and inspire people about science and space.

: Will the hon. Gentleman join me in congratulating Glasgow on securing the international astronautical congress 2008? It is exactly the sort of opportunity that the Government should make the most of to enthuse and inspire people about science and space.

: I congratulate Glasgow, of course. It is tremendous that all parts of the United Kingdom should get involved in the opportunities relating to space. The hon. Lady mentioned enthusiasm and excitement and that is what space provides. It captivates people, as Beagle 2 did; people were excited. I went...

: I congratulate Glasgow, of course. It is tremendous that all parts of the United Kingdom should get involved in the opportunities relating to space. The hon. Lady mentioned enthusiasm and excitement and that is what space provides. It captivates people, as Beagle 2 did; people were excited. I went...

I, too, am a member of the all-party space group. Why I should want to become a member was a source of perplexity to some of my parliamentary colleagues. To many people, space technology means either space exploration or boys' toys—the ““Star Trek”” or ““Star Wars”” syndrome. Whether one has...

I, too, am a member of the all-party space group. Why I should want to become a member was a source of perplexity to some of my parliamentary colleagues. To many people, space technology means either space exploration or boys' toys—the ““Star Trek”” or ““Star Wars”” syndrome. Whether one has...

: It is embarrassing. I am looking at the tables showing what other countries are doing. We know about China. It has growth rates of about 8 per cent and it is definitely growing its space programme. The same is the case in Russia and in India, which also has...

: It is embarrassing. I am looking at the tables showing what other countries are doing. We know about China. It has growth rates of about 8 per cent and it is definitely growing its space programme. The same is the case in Russia and in India, which also has...

: Does my hon. Friend agree that it is appalling that we spend about £195 million a year on civil space activities, whereas France spends €1.9 billion and Germany spends €850 million? Our spending on civil space activity falls behind 15 other countries, including Finland and Belgium.

: Does my hon. Friend agree that it is appalling that we spend about £195 million a year on civil space activities, whereas France spends €1.9 billion and Germany spends €850 million? Our spending on civil space activity falls behind 15 other countries, including Finland and Belgium.

I congratulate the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner) on securing the debate. As he said, it is important because of the ESA ministerial meeting that will take place on 5 and 6 December. He noted the small amount that this country spends on space activities. We have only to...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner) on securing the debate. As he said, it is important because of the ESA ministerial meeting that will take place on 5 and 6 December. He noted the small amount that this country spends on space activities. We have only to...

The amount of intelligence and skill that we have put up in the skies to be able best to monitor some of the natural disasters that happen all over the globe is not generally known about. I hope that the Minister will address the point about DEFRA and the minimal...

The amount of intelligence and skill that we have put up in the skies to be able best to monitor some of the natural disasters that happen all over the globe is not generally known about. I hope that the Minister will address the point about DEFRA and the minimal...

I am listening carefully to the hon. Gentleman. Does he not recognise that the Government have published a 10-year scientific framework programme, and that they have made more effort to increase the proportion of our GDP that is spent on research, development and innovation than his party did when it...

I am listening carefully to the hon. Gentleman. Does he not recognise that the Government have published a 10-year scientific framework programme, and that they have made more effort to increase the proportion of our GDP that is spent on research, development and innovation than his party did when it...

: I will contest the figures with the hon. Gentleman. The hon. Member for Nuneaton led the debate, and I am delighted that he did so.

: I will contest the figures with the hon. Gentleman. The hon. Member for Nuneaton led the debate, and I am delighted that he did so.

: Does my hon. Friend agree that it would also be interesting to hear from the Minister what progress this country is making on the Lisbon goal? It appears that we will not meet the target, which means that we will not produce the number of scientists needed to support...

: Does my hon. Friend agree that it would also be interesting to hear from the Minister what progress this country is making on the Lisbon goal? It appears that we will not meet the target, which means that we will not produce the number of scientists needed to support...

: The attitude in this country to science, and scientists and physicists, must change. I hope that the Minister will say something about that. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to a constituent who visited the House of Commons. He said that he was the last physics teacher in...

: The attitude in this country to science, and scientists and physicists, must change. I hope that the Minister will say something about that. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to a constituent who visited the House of Commons. He said that he was the last physics teacher in...

: There is the prospect of a Dutch satellite that will gulp up debris. I believe that that project is private-sector driven, and perhaps my hon. Friend would like to consider it. The serious point is that we must clear the way for other satellites to be launched and ensure...

: There is the prospect of a Dutch satellite that will gulp up debris. I believe that that project is private-sector driven, and perhaps my hon. Friend would like to consider it. The serious point is that we must clear the way for other satellites to be launched and ensure...

: My hon. Friend makes an important point about the project being commercially driven. There is a great deal of money to be made in the space industry, so it is commercially attractive to companies. However, there is definitely a need for the Government to drive progress harder and faster...

: My hon. Friend makes an important point about the project being commercially driven. There is a great deal of money to be made in the space industry, so it is commercially attractive to companies. However, there is definitely a need for the Government to drive progress harder and faster...

: I did not hear that intervention on the Minister last night, but I assume that he is more au fait with the issue now and that it will burn in his mind when the ministerial conference comes up. It is important that all sections of the Government know the...

: I did not hear that intervention on the Minister last night, but I assume that he is more au fait with the issue now and that it will burn in his mind when the ministerial conference comes up. It is important that all sections of the Government know the...

: The hon. Lady makes an important point, which I was going to stress later: it is no good the Government just giving warm words and reassurance. Those things must be matched with the investment—spending is not just expenditure; it is investment in the industry. It allows the UK to...

: The hon. Lady makes an important point, which I was going to stress later: it is no good the Government just giving warm words and reassurance. Those things must be matched with the investment—spending is not just expenditure; it is investment in the industry. It allows the UK to...

I add my congratulations to the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. He mentioned the importance of GMES and UK space policy for helping to tackle climate change and for environmental monitoring. Does he agree that it is surprising that the UK Government are considering contributing only £3 million...

I add my congratulations to the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. He mentioned the importance of GMES and UK space policy for helping to tackle climate change and for environmental monitoring. Does he agree that it is surprising that the UK Government are considering contributing only £3 million...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend—I use that phrase as the hon. Gentleman is my co-chairman on the all-party group on space. Will he pay tribute to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd's disaster monitoring constellation, which uses four big satellites and which is now part of a wider operation ensuring...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend—I use that phrase as the hon. Gentleman is my co-chairman on the all-party group on space. Will he pay tribute to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd's disaster monitoring constellation, which uses four big satellites and which is now part of a wider operation ensuring...

I declare an interest as the joint chair of the all-party group on space, which has the support of nearly 100 Members, from both Houses and from both sides of this House. I am delighted to see my co-chair, the hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr. Taylor), on the...

I declare an interest as the joint chair of the all-party group on space, which has the support of nearly 100 Members, from both Houses and from both sides of this House. I am delighted to see my co-chair, the hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Mr. Taylor), on the...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that if the Government were to increase that money, it would be not expenditure but investment? It would repay itself, not only because of the commercial profitability of which he has spoken, but because the skills that our space industry is famous for encouraging would...

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that if the Government were to increase that money, it would be not expenditure but investment? It would repay itself, not only because of the commercial profitability of which he has spoken, but because the skills that our space industry is famous for encouraging would...

: Yes. There is always a semantic difference about whether funding is an investment or a cost. Money invested is space is just that: an investment for the future. As I shall say a little later, it is an investment because of the amount of technical expertise in the industry....

: Yes. There is always a semantic difference about whether funding is an investment or a cost. Money invested is space is just that: an investment for the future. As I shall say a little later, it is an investment because of the amount of technical expertise in the industry....

: Yes, there is some space litter up there, and we probably need to pay attention to it. However, my hon. Friend's point about failed launches shows that, although we take for granted such things as getting a signal on our mobile phones or getting a television stream, such technology...

: Yes, there is some space litter up there, and we probably need to pay attention to it. However, my hon. Friend's point about failed launches shows that, although we take for granted such things as getting a signal on our mobile phones or getting a television stream, such technology...

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his speech about a very important subject. Although he calls for vast increases in investment in space activity, I am aware that he knows that a tremendous number of satellite operations have failed and that an extraordinary amount of rubbish is circulating the globe....

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his speech about a very important subject. Although he calls for vast increases in investment in space activity, I am aware that he knows that a tremendous number of satellite operations have failed and that an extraordinary amount of rubbish is circulating the globe....

I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his long interest and expertise in the space sector. Does he agree that during the late evening debate on climate change last night, it was a little surprising that, in responding to my intervention, the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment...

I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his long interest and expertise in the space sector. Does he agree that during the late evening debate on climate change last night, it was a little surprising that, in responding to my intervention, the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment...

: If my hon. Friend will forgive me, I need to make a number of other comments in response to the debate. However, I shall draw those matters to the attention of the relevant Defence and Foreign Ministers. I shall speak next about our national priorities. The UK space strategy...

: If my hon. Friend will forgive me, I need to make a number of other comments in response to the debate. However, I shall draw those matters to the attention of the relevant Defence and Foreign Ministers. I shall speak next about our national priorities. The UK space strategy...

: As the hon. Gentleman has chosen a party political platform, perhaps he would acknowledge that the British National Space Centre was started by a Conservative Government. He should face Lord Hunt of Wirral in the other place and tell him that we did nothing about science and technology. We...

: As the hon. Gentleman has chosen a party political platform, perhaps he would acknowledge that the British National Space Centre was started by a Conservative Government. He should face Lord Hunt of Wirral in the other place and tell him that we did nothing about science and technology. We...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner) on securing this debate on the exciting subject of UK space policy. Although it is now nearly 50 years since the first satellite was sent into orbit, space exploration remains exciting and full of prospects for understanding the origins of the...

I congratulate the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner) on securing this debate on the exciting subject of UK space policy. Although it is now nearly 50 years since the first satellite was sent into orbit, space exploration remains exciting and full of prospects for understanding the origins of the...

: I am happy to make such acknowledgements and I was not slinging things. The Nietzschean picture of doom and gloom painted by the hon. Member for Ribble Valley is not my view of science and technology. I was trying to help the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham and...

: I am happy to make such acknowledgements and I was not slinging things. The Nietzschean picture of doom and gloom painted by the hon. Member for Ribble Valley is not my view of science and technology. I was trying to help the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham and...

: I agree. As I was saying, we should not allow that failure to put us off taking risks. It is important, however, that, when a project involves a significant risk, there should be a thorough feasibility study to identify the risks and options, investigate potential benefits and accurately estimate...

: I agree. As I was saying, we should not allow that failure to put us off taking risks. It is important, however, that, when a project involves a significant risk, there should be a thorough feasibility study to identify the risks and options, investigate potential benefits and accurately estimate...

: We talked about the failure in that case, but Mars Express—we are involved on three of the instruments that are being used—is bringing back much information from which we will benefit. The successes clearly outweigh that one failure.

: We talked about the failure in that case, but Mars Express—we are involved on three of the instruments that are being used—is bringing back much information from which we will benefit. The successes clearly outweigh that one failure.

My hon. Friend Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, will Chair the Competitiveness Council for the research items and the Space Council on 28 November. I will be chairing for industry and internal market items on 29 November 2005. The first item on 28 November will...

My hon. Friend Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, will Chair the Competitiveness Council for the research items and the Space Council on 28 November. I will be chairing for industry and internal market items on 29 November 2005. The first item on 28 November will...

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Alan Johnson) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. My noble friend, Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, will chair the Competitiveness Council for the research items and the Space Council on 28 November....

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Alan Johnson) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. My noble friend, Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, will chair the Competitiveness Council for the research items and the Space Council on 28 November....

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on UK space policy.

Westminster Hall adjournment debate on UK space policy.

I congratulate the hon. Lady on raising these important issues, not least by giving such emphasis to science, which is sometimes neglected in our discussions in the House and in the country, despite the fact that we have some of the world’s leading scientists and some of the best research...

I congratulate the hon. Lady on raising these important issues, not least by giving such emphasis to science, which is sometimes neglected in our discussions in the House and in the country, despite the fact that we have some of the world’s leading scientists and some of the best research...

I do not know whether the Leader of the House is aware that some major international decisions on space matters are due shortly, namely on global monitoring for environment and security, Galileo and Aurora, all of which affect several Departments of State and research councils. In addition, at the European...

I do not know whether the Leader of the House is aware that some major international decisions on space matters are due shortly, namely on global monitoring for environment and security, Galileo and Aurora, all of which affect several Departments of State and research councils. In addition, at the European...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom operates a defence mechanism for the protection of UK satellites in space.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom operates a defence mechanism for the protection of UK satellites in space.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on weapons in space;

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on weapons in space;

(2) what plans the Government have (a) to support and (b) to promote the establishment of a new comprehensive space treaty which would include matters relating to weapons in space;

(2) what plans the Government have (a) to support and (b) to promote the establishment of a new comprehensive space treaty which would include matters relating to weapons in space;

(3) whether the Government (a) own and (b) contract defence weaponry in space.

(3) whether the Government (a) own and (b) contract defence weaponry in space.

Upon which clauses in the Treaty of Nice the European Union relies for the following initiatives (a) European Union space programme; (b) Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna; (c) European Union foreign embassies; and (d) troops in the Congo under the European Union flag.

Upon which clauses in the Treaty of Nice the European Union relies for the following initiatives (a) European Union space programme; (b) Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna; (c) European Union foreign embassies; and (d) troops in the Congo under the European Union flag.

What is their total expenditure on space exploration and space research from 1997–98 to the latest date for which information is available.

What is their total expenditure on space exploration and space research from 1997–98 to the latest date for which information is available.

Written Statement on publication of the report of the inquiry into the circumstances and possible reasons that prevented completion of the Beagle 2 mission. (Inc fact that report is available on www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/resources/press/report.pdf).

Written Statement on publication of the report of the inquiry into the circumstances and possible reasons that prevented completion of the Beagle 2 mission. (Inc fact that report is available on www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/resources/press/report.pdf).

Lords Written Statement on publication of the report of the inquiry into the circumstances and possible reasons that prevented completion of the Beagle 2 mission. (Inc fact that report is available on www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/resources/press/report.pdf).

Lords Written Statement on publication of the report of the inquiry into the circumstances and possible reasons that prevented completion of the Beagle 2 mission. (Inc fact that report is available on www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/resources/press/report.pdf).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the EU White Paper, New Frontier for an Expanding Union; and what effect he expects the action plan for implementing the European Space Policy will have on UK defence policy; what implications the EU White...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the EU White Paper, New Frontier for an Expanding Union; and what effect he expects the action plan for implementing the European Space Policy will have on UK defence policy; what implications the EU White...

When the funding available to pay the United Kingdom's subscription to the European Space Agency Preliminary European Space Exploration Programme Aurora will be made known. [HL 3901]. - Inc figure.

When the funding available to pay the United Kingdom's subscription to the European Space Agency Preliminary European Space Exploration Programme Aurora will be made known. [HL 3901]. - Inc figure.

What is the likely amount of the United Kingdom's subscriptions to the European Space Agency Aurora programme. [HL 3903].

What is the likely amount of the United Kingdom's subscriptions to the European Space Agency Aurora programme. [HL 3903].

Whether the size of the United Kingdom's subscription to the European Space Agency will be at a level sufficient to enable the United Kingdom to maintain leadership within the Aurora programme, and will keep pace with gross domestic product. [HL 3902].

Whether the size of the United Kingdom's subscription to the European Space Agency will be at a level sufficient to enable the United Kingdom to maintain leadership within the Aurora programme, and will keep pace with gross domestic product. [HL 3902].

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to publish the inquiry into the Beagle project. - Inc fact that copies of the recommendations will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to publish the inquiry into the Beagle project. - Inc fact that copies of the recommendations will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what Government support is available for research into manned space travel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what Government support is available for research into manned space travel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much public money was spent on the Beagle 2 project. - Inc figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how much public money was spent on the Beagle 2 project. - Inc figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government continues to support the outer space treaty. - Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government continues to support the outer space treaty. - Yes.

Motion to take note of European Union document No 14886/03 + ADD1, the Commission white paper on European space policy. Agreed on question (formal).

Motion to take note of European Union document No 14886/03 + ADD1, the Commission white paper on European space policy. Agreed on question (formal).

EU document 14886/2003 [and 14886/2003/ADD1] the Commission's White Paper on European Space Policy. Considered by Standing Committee. (Vote).

EU document 14886/2003 [and 14886/2003/ADD1] the Commission's White Paper on European Space Policy. Considered by Standing Committee. (Vote).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether debt accrued by the Beagle 2 programme will be met from existing departmental budget allocations for space programmes and research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether debt accrued by the Beagle 2 programme will be met from existing departmental budget allocations for space programmes and research.

UK space strategy: 2003-2006 and beyond: space for science enterprise and environment. 81 p. DTI/BNSC. 2003.

UK space strategy: 2003-2006 and beyond: space for science enterprise and environment. 81 p. DTI/BNSC. 2003.