Theresa May backs far north space launch site
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PRIME Minister Theresa May has given her backing to plans to site the UK's first space launch facility in the far north.
She told Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone that the project on the Moine, between Tongue and Durness, would be "good for the economy, for constituents and the UK as a whole".
Mrs May made her comments during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons after the subject was raised by the Liberal Democrat MP.
He said: "My constituents are very pleased that the UK’s first space launch facility – for micro-satellites – will be in the north of my constituency. This gives us a great opportunity to redeploy the considerable skills which we have at Dounreay in Caithness.
"Does the Prime Minister agree with me that this is a splendid business opportunity not just for my constituency and the UK but for countries in Europe and the rest of the world who do not have space launch facilities? "
Replying, Mrs May said: "This is a significant development. It will indeed be good for local business and jobs. It brings skilled jobs in an important area of employment. It will give opportunities for the UK to offer these services to others across Europe who are not able to provide those services for themselves. It is good for our economy, it’s good for his local economy, it’s good for his constituents and the UK as a whole."
Speaking afterwards, Mr Stone said: "I’m pleased that the Prime Minister agrees with me that the Sutherland spaceport will give a significant boost to my constituency, and also to the UK more widely. It gives us an opportunity to work closely with European countries on space launches and will well and truly put Sutherland on the map. "
He added: " I will continue to work closely with constituents, the government and all businesses involved to ensure the maximum benefits are felt in the far north."
