§ Mr. McWilliamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the economic importance of the UK space technology sector in terms of(a) the extent to which it can help the UK's manufacturing industry develop export markets, (b) the extent to which it can help the United Kingdom manufacturing industry create jobs and (c) the impact of her Department's assessment on the United Kingdom's decision to provide funds to support the Galileo project; and if she will make a statement. [R] [17805]
§ Ms HewittThe United Kingdom's space technology is world class in a number of areas including telecommunications payloads, small satellites and synthetic aperture radar. About two thirds of UK space industry turnover results from export business. Latest published figures show that approximately 6,000 people are employed directly in space activities, without taking into account employment in those sectors which are reliant on satellite based services. The size and health of the UK space industry is currently being surveyed by the British National Space Centre and the results should be published early in 2002.
The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions is the lead department on Galileo. My Department has been working closely with them, and others in Whitehall, to develop the United Kingdom's position on Galileo.