Articles and Speeches

New science minister must explain ‘reckless’ astronaut pledge

Tuesday, 7th October 2008.  Press Release.

Responding to reports that Lord Drayson, the new science minister, is ‘totally’ behind a UK astronaut programme, Adam Afriyie, Shadow Minister for Science and Innovation said:

“The new science minister’s astonishing pledge to send British astronauts into space seems to have been announced without consultation and with no new funding.

“Sending British astronauts into space would certainly be exciting, but the minister must explain where the extra money is coming from, or which aspects of the strained science budget he will cut.

“His predecessor left office after the incompetent handling of the physics budget crisis, and I’m concerned that the new science minister is making reckless and unilateral decisions so early into the post.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For Lord Drayson’s claim, see ‘Science minister backs astronauts for UK’: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/oct/06/drayson.astronauts.

2. 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 to stay out of manned space flight: http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/assets/channels/about/UKCSS0812.pdf.

3. 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.

Contact Details:

Telephone: 020 7219 8023

Email: afriyiea@parliament.uk