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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
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