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Lord Drayson - European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council

The Hague, The Netherlands - 25 November 2008

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Madame Chair, Director General, Colleagues

There are many reasons for the UK government's keen interest in space.

We recognise its contribution to our national economy – generating a turnover of £5.8 billion in 06/07 and directly supporting 16,000 jobs, in areas such as commercial satellites for telecoms and broadcasting.

We believe in space exploration – which is why we've made a significant contribution to the ESA science programme and why we're focusing on robotics (the subject of my own doctorate) as the precursor to a Mars mission.

Even in difficult economic times it is important that we maintain the pace of investment in research to address climate change – the greatest challenge facing our generation. I'm pleased, therefore, to confirm that the UK intends to invest in ESA's flagship Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Programmes.

GMES is vital for monitoring climate change, and the UK is keen to share its expertise in both satellite technology and in climate prediction.

In addition – and this is something I believe in passionately – space has an unrivalled ability to capture children's imaginations and inspire them to study science subjects at school and at university.

Right now, the UK and Europe have a real need for more scientists and engineers. We can only achieve this if we demonstrate to children that science is the route to exciting and rewarding jobs.

Recent research in the UK revealed that children's average grades in science were higher in schools where space was part of the curriculum. And we've now established a space academy in Leicester to encourage and support young people to consider the benefits and challenges of careers in engineering and science.

But having inspired these scientists of tomorrow we then need to give them opportunities.

Our scientists would receive a real boost if an ESA facility were established in the UK – it would also enable ESA to make the most of the UK’s world-class expertise in environmental change, climate science and robotics.

A UK facility would also represent an important step in strengthening our relationship with ESA and address some of our current concerns about the amount of work that comes to the UK. We are the Agency's fourth highest contributor, and I'm determined that we remain a significant player in European space. I look forward to a productive meeting and I assure you of the UK's willingness to make real progress over the next few days.