Carmichael secures ministerial meeting on support for isles space industry
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today secured agreement for a ministerial meeting to discuss government support for the space sector in the Northern Isles. During Science and Technology questions in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael highlighted the “economic and strategic opportunities” of the Saxavord Space Centre in Unst and received a commitment to a future meeting with the responsible minister.
Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:
“This is a sector that offers massive economic and strategic opportunities for the UK. The development of the Shetland spaceport in Saxavord is now significantly ahead of the rest of the field. Getting that project across the line will actually be something that brings benefits to other projects right across the whole of the United Kingdom.
“Will he meet with me and developers from Saxavord in Shetland, to discuss what the government can do directly and indirectly to help them?”
Responding for the government, Science and Technology Minister Chris Bryant MP said:
“It feels like I am going to be meeting with everybody, but I’m very happy to meet with him – I am meeting with Orbex later today – because it is a really important point. The launch sector is something where we have a geographic advantage and in terms of skills, that we need to exploit to our best advantage for the whole of the UK economy.
“It’s not just about what happens on Shetland, it’s about lots of businesses as part of the supply chain through to mission control, to technological support, so yes, I’m very happy to meet with him.”
Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:
“I know that the minister is well aware of the potential benefits to be had for the whole UK from the successful rollout of the Saxavord launch site in Unst, so it is a no-brainer to bring everyone together to discuss how we can capitalise on this potential. I look forward to setting this meeting alongside the Saxavord team as soon as possible.”