Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the local economy of the construction and establishment of a UK spaceport in Ayrshire.

The UK has a strong small satellite manufacturing sector, and forecasts suggest that the global satellite launch and spaceflight industry could be worth as much as £25 billion pounds over the next 20 years. By establishing a spaceport to enable these activities, growth and skilled jobs will be created in regions of the UK that need them most.

The UK Space Agency is leading work across Government to enable the UK to play a leading part in the growing commercial space market. As part of this programme, the Space Agency is working with a number of different sites across the UK that have expressed interest in becoming a spaceport, and have recently invited proposals from partnerships of potential spaceports and space vehicle operators.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire has been looking into starting spaceport operations for some years now, working closely with the Space Agency to develop their plans. Any proposal for a UK spaceport will be assessed on both value for money and benefit – both local and national. I cannot discuss the details or identities of any bids as this is an on-going commercial process, but I will update the hon Member as soon as possible.