Draft Contracting Out (Functions in Relation to Space) Order 2021 Draft Space Industry Regulations 2021 Draft Space Industry (Appeals) Regulations 2021 Draft Spaceflight Activities (Investigation of Spaceflight Accidents) Regulations 2021

Mike Kane Excerpts

Monday 28th June 2021 General Committees

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson.

When I won my tightly fought by-election in February 2014, little did I think that I would be coming to Parliament to speak about space exploration—it was not in my stump speech—but it is a great honour to do so as shadow aviation Minister. I should not start a speech with a split infinitive, but this gives the United Kingdom a chance to boldly go into the future with exciting and innovative technology.

Labour welcomes the process of strengthening the Outer Space Act 1986, which was previously deemed to be not rigorous enough to enable the licensing of launches from within the UK. The enhanced regulatory regime under the 2018 Act and the subsequent 2021 space regulations will reduce risk to businesses applying for licences and assure them of consistently fair treatment during the licensing process. Will the Minister confirm that the licensing arrangements are equal to those in countries with similar space industries? She touched on that point in her speech, but it would be great to get a little more detail.

Monitoring the earth from space is crucial as we seek to understand and tackle climate change. The expansion of the UK’s space industry and its capacity will assist with that. I was pleased to read in guidance issued by the Department for Transport last week that the Government would merely make minor clarifications to guidance on the environmental objectives of air quality, noise, the marine environment and climate change. Cornwall and Shetland are special areas, and we want them to be protected.

The draft measures will reassure the wider general public that due diligence has been applied to the programme and those who seek to operate in space. The contracting out of regulatory functions to the CAA is positive, as it has gained knowledge, skills and experience from its current remit, and it can expand that remit and its capability to spaceflight. Will the Minister confirm that additional funding will be available to the CAA to undertake that governance?

The granting of licences will open up new competitive markets, and reduce costs and logistical difficulties for academics and the wider scientific community. It will provide new opportunities for exploration, experimentation and discovery that will stimulate and accelerate future spaceflight and all allied technologies that will make this country a world leader in the field. Can the Minister assure us that the high-quality jobs created by the programme, and the resultant economic prosperity, will be shared evenly across the UK? For example, will the Government ensure that British steel is used in the development of the UK’s space industry? What steps are being taken to ensure that the supply chains that will be necessary for the expansion of the UK space industry address regional inequality? Finally, what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that new, high-quality, highly paid and highly skilled jobs will go to the regions?