Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 April 2023
27 Apr 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Space Sector
I absolutely agree with everything that Paul Sweeney has just said. We need to have a less cluttered environment. It needs to be a lot clearer so that businesses know where to go for help so that they can get employees with the skill sets that they need. They also need to be able to highlight that to the Government and educational institutions so that we know which courses we need. Having visited Ayrshire College, I know that a lot of work is already under way between it and the local industry to provide pathway courses for young people to give them the skills that will enable them to enter the sector.
As we attract more investment and highly skilled workers, we will also need to have the support of both our Governments to ensure that adequate funding is delivered so that the building blocks that we put in place now are fit for purpose in the future.
We cannot underestimate the cost of acquiring land and erecting buildings for that work to take place—and the work does not stop there. If we are to entice the brightest and the best, they will need homes to live in and roads to drive on, which means that we must invest in local infrastructure.
Scotland has many opportunities in the space industry, but we need to lay the groundwork today to ensure success tomorrow and in the future.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-08713, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on opportunities for the space sector in Scotland. 15:02
The Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
I am delighted to host today’s debate on Scotland’s space sector, which is a Scottish success story and a sector that, in opening up new frontiers, is delive...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Does that also present a challenge? The skills that the minister mentions are very much based on academic research but, as we scale up and grow the space ind...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
Daniel Johnson outlines an important challenge. As the sector grows, so will the demand for people. In the past few days, the industry made the important poi...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The minister is making an interesting speech. It is important to maintain Scottish ownership of that value chain. I was disappointed when AAC Clyde Space, on...
Richard Lochhead
SNP
That is an important part of the debate. There are two ways to look at that. First, Scotland would not have a burgeoning space industry without inward invest...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Before I call the next speaker, I advise members that we have some time in hand. 15:16
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I welcome the debate, and I am delighted to open it for the Scottish Conservatives. I am speaking with a number of different hats on today. I am my party’s l...
Paul Sweeney
Lab
The member makes a point about polar orbital launch being a huge opportunity for Scotland, yet industry has raised concerns about the Civil Aviation Authorit...
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Con
The key thing is that we should all be working together—the Scottish Government, the UK Government and members of my party. Where there are challenges—there ...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
I share the sentiment that we heard from the minister. When we talk about the space industry, for many people, that will conjure up images of science fiction...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I welcome this debate on space sector opportunities and the potential for Scotland. Scotland has the UK’s fastest-growing space sector and there are ambition...
Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP)
SNP
First, I congratulate Richard Lochhead for securing the debate. He obviously has a better relationship when it comes to Parliamentary business, because that ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Sandesh Gulhane, who joins us remotely. 15:44
Sandesh Gulhane (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
Thirty-four years ago, Neil Armstrong uttered the immortal words: “one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind”. Since the last manned lunar mission...
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate this afternoon, and I am very happy to support the motion. I thank the University of Edinburgh f...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Like many others we have heard from today, I am very enthusiastic about the possibilities that will become available to us with increased investment in the s...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Well, I had to say it: I am boldly going where Christine has not gone before. What do I know about space and satellites beyond “Star Trek”? Actually, I may s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I call Colin Beattie, who will be the final speaker in the open debate for a generous six minutes. We will then come to closing speeches, for which all membe...
Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak on opportunities for the space sector in Scotland. It still surprises me how many people are unaware of the opportunities ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to closing speeches. 16:15
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to engage in the debate and to close on behalf of Labour in what has been a vital discussion about one of Scotland’...
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
As has been mentioned in contributions from other members, Scotland’s space sector continues to grow and contributes significantly to our economy. The space ...
Paul Sweeney
Lab
The member makes an important point about the need for greater collaboration to drive critical mass into the sector and all parts of engineering in Scotland....
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can give you the time back, Ms Dowey.
Sharon Dowey
Con
I absolutely agree with everything that Paul Sweeney has just said. We need to have a less cluttered environment. It needs to be a lot clearer so that busine...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Richard Lochhead to wind up the debate. You have around nine minutes, minister. 16:28
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I am grateful to members for their really good contributions to the debate. It has been great to see unity and the Parliament getting behind a growing key Sc...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
That concludes the debate on opportunities for the space sector in Scotland.