Hansard

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 between Michael Russell and John Scott shows the strengths of the two sites.

Of course, the choice will not be for the Scottish Government, because the matter is reserved to the Westminster Government. All extraterrestrial matters are reserved to it and, no matter how good a result the Scottish National Party might get on 7 May, I am not sure that the decision will transfer to the Scottish Government. We will back both bids and support both locations.

I note that, between Michael Russell and John Scott, there was the middle way of Adam Ingram and Chic Brodie. Margaret McDougall touched on the Prestwick bid’s strengths, and John Finnie intervened to point out the strength of the Campbeltown-Machrihanish location.

One reason why I will resist the temptation to back one bid over another is that I am not sure that it would add any extra value. The Scottish Government is clear that we want the spaceport to be located in Scotland, and we will do what we can to secure that, while recognising the strengths and the opportunities of the bids.

In a sense, the debate seems somewhat futuristic. However, as John Scott and others pointed out, the economic benefits are real and are in many ways already here, given Scotland’s contribution to this growing sector and the industry. Latest figures show that Scotland accounts for just under 5 per cent of the total turnover in the UK’s space sector and for 16 per cent of the jobs. There is an ambitious target for Scotland to seize 1 per cent of the global space sector market by 2030. That percentage might not sound like much but, in economic value, it represents £4 billion a year to the Scottish economy, so it is a prize that is absolutely worth pursuing. A spaceport could generate a step change in the industry by stimulating further growth in manufacturing, research and development, design and tourism, and it would contribute to the sense of location, wherever is selected.

We have supported the bids, but we will be even more supportive when the timescales are made clear by the UK Government and the final criteria are established. That is another reason not to rule out either bid. We do not want to end up rejecting a substantial and legitimate bid.

With regard to the economic benefits, the economic opportunity and the sense of location, both bids are strong. That said, Prestwick airport has made considerable progress, as it has key local and national partners involved in its bid. Scottish Enterprise will continue to support both bids.

Previously, members have asked about the other bids. It has been for other agencies to pursue those bids. Highlands and Islands Airports has made its position clear, and the Ministry of Defence, by its silence or its reluctance to comment, has made clear its position on its preferred locations.

Clear technical requirements will need to be fulfilled for any bid to be successful. However, there is a strong case around the added value that any location brings in terms of the space industry.

This will be significant for Scotland and in a UK and European context, for the reasons that John Scott gave. I congratulate him again on securing the debate. The focus will be on the launch of satellites, tourism, destinations and the other benefits that the spaceport would bring.

This members’ business debate is about Prestwick. John Scott has covered the infrastructure at the location, the history and the potential that is presented. Even the weather is used—uniquely—as an asset and a positive in a Scottish context. Scotland is the only country in the world where we can have four seasons in one day, but at the location in Prestwick, that is a clear advantage, for the reasons that have been given.

We will back both bids as they progress. As all becomes clearer through the UK Government, we will support them through individual support and, I hope, collaboration, as a number of members said. The choice for a spaceport in the UK should be in Scotland, so that we can maximise the benefits and take advantage of the immense potential that our people and destinations can offer. In that sense, we whole-heartedly support both bids and look forward to working enthusiastically with the partners to secure the spaceport for Scotland.