Question reference: S6W-15802
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 10 March 2023
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Current status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 17 March 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the UK's space industry regulatory framework is "not competitive", when it last engaged with the (a) UK Government and (b) Civil Aviation Authority regarding any potential impact on its ability to promote the space sector as part of Scotland's economic development, and what assessment it has made of any such impact.
Answer
The Scottish Government regularly engages with UK Government counterparts at ministerial and official level on many matters concerning the space sector, including the subject of regulation. Most recently I wrote to the UK Space Agency and my counterpart at the former BEIS in February, following a meeting with them in January.
On 16 March 2023, I wrote to the Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority to ask what immediate actions are being taken to reassure government, industry and their customers and investors, that the UK regulator will not inhibit either our global competitiveness as a spacefaring nation nor our spaceports or satellite manufacturers commercial prospects.