Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 April 2015
28 Apr 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Prestwick Airport Spaceport Bid
I think that those are good points to make, but I think that Campbeltown is accessible and could be even more so.
On the issue of jobs, the potential for creating new jobs in a spaceport is fairly great. This is not simply about sustaining jobs—indeed, we do not know how many of those jobs could be sustained, as there are many different attributes that are required for the space industries that do not exist in the aviation industries. However, the potential for creating new jobs on a community-owned site is substantial.
I hope that the minister will look kindly at what is a friendly rivalry that might contain the potential for co-operation. However, Campbeltown deserves to be considered. The time is coming for Cape Campbeltown.
17:30In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-12526, in the name of John Scott, on Prestwick airport spaceport bid. The debate...
John Scott (Ayr) (Con)
Con
I thank colleagues from all parties for their support for my motion and for taking part in the debate. Since 1913, when Monkton meadows was first used for ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Mr Scott, could I stop you for a moment? Could the back door be closed, please? I am afraid that noise is drifting into the chamber.
John Scott
Con
The UK space sector has a turnover of £11.3 billion and employs 34,000 people. The target is to grow our UK space industry to £40 billion turnover in the nex...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
On his last comment about airspace, does John Scott accept that Prestwick is not unique and that Machrihanish would fit that criterion, too?
John Scott
Con
Yes—of course I accept that point. I turn to other aspects that make Prestwick the location of choice in Scotland and, indeed, the United Kingdom. One is t...
Adam Ingram (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate John Scott on securing the debate, which is on a subject that both of us are happy to work together to promote. For the benefit of members, al...
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, congratulate John Scott on securing this debate on Prestwick airport’s spaceport bid. I must apologise to members in advance: I will have to leave be...
Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted that John Scott has brought this debate to the Parliament. I have had a love affair with Prestwick since I was a European business manager wit...
Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate John Scott on securing the debate and I agree that Scotland should be the location of choice for the spaceport. I am not here to rain on Pre...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Does Michael Russell also agree that Machrihanish is the only UK airport that has twice been approved for space flight?
Michael Russell
SNP
How prescient of Mr McGrigor. I was just coming to that point, which features in the Campbeltown airport briefing. The airport has been approved twice for sp...
John Scott
Con
Notwithstanding his reasonable comments about Machrihanish, does Mr Russell agree that Prestwick’s particularly distinguishing attributes are the 3,000 peopl...
Michael Russell
SNP
I think that those are good points to make, but I think that Campbeltown is accessible and could be even more so. On the issue of jobs, the potential for c...
The Minister for Transport and Islands (Derek Mackay)
SNP
A challenge has been set out for me today to choose between the two remaining bids in Scotland. However, I will resist it, because that taste of the debate b...