The Space Policy inquiry is focussing on: 

• The impact of current levels of investment on space-related activities on the UK’s international competitiveness in this sector;
• The benefits and value for money obtained from participation in the European Space Agency and other international programmes;
• The maximisation of commercial benefits and wealth creation from UK space-based technologies through innovation and knowledge transfer;
• The delivery of public benefits from the space-related activities of different Government departments (eg DEFRA, MoD, DTI, DfT), and the co-ordination of these activities; and
• Support for space-related research and the UK skills base.

The Committee is particularly interested in the role of space in education and its ability to promote interest amongst pupils in science, technology, engineering and mathemematics. The regulation of hybrid and chimera embryos is key to the development of stem-cell research in the UK and its proponents claim the development of stem-cell lines using these technologies could bring closer the understanding of and potential cures for diseases such as Motor Neurone and Parkinson’s.The Committee is looking at the appropriateness of the proposals for legislation in this area as set out in the Government’s recent White Paper, Review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act: Proposals for revised legislation (including establishment of the Regulatory Authority for Tissue and Embryos) (CM 6989) and on the impact of these proposals upon stem cell research in the UK.This is an understandably controversial area with the media keen to run off “Franken-bunny” stories. However, because of the poor availability of human eggs for in-vitrio development of stem-cells the implantation of human genetic material in animal eggs creates the potential for volume testing of new drug properties, subject to the destruction of any entity before 14-days of development. The Cooksey Review was initiated by the Chancellor in order to examine the best institutional arrangements for the new single fund for health research. I often receive enquiries from constituents who want the Government to increase funding to research addressing specific illnesses. However every research project is assessed on its merits and the Government cannot predict what proposals will be brought forward from different research institutions.

I am horrified by the proposals from our Conservative / Liberal Democrat run Borough Council to take money out of Ipswich Buses. This is a successful publicly owned bus company that has provided a quality service to Ipswich people when bus services outside London have become very poor since de-regulation in 1985/With David Cameron claiming environmentally friendly credentials and the Liberal Democrats always claiming to be “greener”, this proposal appears hypocritical. Quality public transport has a major role to play in offering alternatives for some private car journeys and thereby a role in reducing carbon emissions and congestion.Making bus frequencies greater than ten minutes begins to significantly undermine the “get-up-and-go” expectations the public have of bus services. Reducing frequencies will reduce passenger numbers, bring in less revenue and then make the route vulnerable to axing.A real contrast can be seen here. The recent launch of six new buses on Route 13 was a result of sound management when Labour ran the Borough, addressed the company’s pension fund deficit, and freed up cash for investment. A week later and the Conservatives and Liberals are cutting services. 

Chris Mole MP