Articles and Speeches

Denham disowns his science minister over astronaut pledge

Thursday, 16th October 2008.  Press Release.

Adam Afriyie, Shadow Minister for Science and Innovation, today forced Innovation Secretary John Denham to disown his new science minister over the funding of British astronauts.

Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, John Denham praised Baroness Thatcher’s decision as Prime Minister to commit the UK to unmanned space exploration, and emphasised that Lord Drayson’s personal support for an astronauts programme was not necessarily in line with Government policy.

Speaking after the exchange, Adam Afriyie said:

“It is now clear that the new science minister was speaking out of turn, and his own Secretary of State was unwilling to endorse his reckless comments.

“I believe the UK must maintain a strong presence in the field of space exploration, but important decisions about the future of UK space science require careful consideration with the right funding in place.

“For John Denham to praise Lady Thatcher, the rift has got to be serious.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1.       Lord Drayson broke with long-standing UK space policy shortly after his appointment as science minister by pledging his commitment to a UK astronaut programme: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/oct/06/drayson.astronauts.

2.       Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, John Denham said:

He [Lord Drayson] made it very clear in interviews that his personal view, which he expressed prior to being a minister, was that we should join the manned space programme. The position of the Government, which he supports and understands [laughter] is that we have a review [disruption]…We have established a review for good reasons. Twenty years ago, the Noble Lady the Baroness Thatcher took a decision that this country should not participate in manned space flight. I have to say, I think that that decision has stood the test of time. Because whilst we didn’t participate in that programme we have become a world leader in satellite technology and robot exploring devices…I think it’s quite right that twenty years on we approach this with fresh minds but there are no predetermined decisions. [Check against Hansard.]

3.       Adam Afriyie wrote a blog entry responding to Lord Drayson’s comments, which is available here: http://www.conservatives.com/News/Blogs/Policy_but_not_as_we_know_it.aspx.

4.       In the Government’s Civil Space Strategy for 2008-2012 (signed by Ian Pearson, the former science minister), the British National Space Centre confirmed that its short-term focus would remain on unmanned and robotic activities, although it plans to review its decision: http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/about/UKCSS0812.pdf.

5.       The British National Space Centre, which has responsibility for UK space policy, is funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council, which is recovering from an £80 million budget shortfall.

ENDS

Contact Details:

Adam Afriyie MP

Telephone: 0207 219 8023

Email: afriyiea@parliament.uk