Asked by: Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how long the contract is between the UK Space Agency and Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd to provide deep space communications services.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The current framework agreement between the UK Space Agency and Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd runs until March 2025. Any further agreements will need to be considered in light of the upcoming spending review.
Asked by: Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the UK Space Agency plans to establish a publicly owned deep space communication service provider.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
No.
Asked by: Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on steps to improve digital inclusion in the NHS.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Digital inclusion is a priority for me and for Government. It means ensuring everyone has the access, skills and confidence to participate in a modern digital society, whatever their circumstances. We are working to develop our approach on digital inclusion, including with other government departments to ensure it is joined-up. To support this, I am, and will continue, engaging with my counterparts in other departments on this important issue.
Asked by: Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the UK Space Agency plans to take to support the growth of the space cluster in Cornwall.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
During the current spending period, the Government has invested a total of £4.2 million to support the Cornwall region to develop its local space capabilities, enabling Spaceport Cornwall to conduct the first ever orbital launch attempt from UK soil and supporting Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd to deliver deep space commercial services. The cluster is also being supported to attract investment from international space companies, and progress Cornwall’s strategic ambitions to become a global leader in satellite operations and communications and the testing and development of spaceflight systems.
Asked by: Alison Griffiths (Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many British citizens are undertaking training for future manned space flights.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Two astronauts are undertaking training for future crewed space flights, and a third is undertaking similar training in January.