posted 01-16-2007 12:57 PM            

A top-level public inquiry into the future of space policy in the UK is to come to Leicester, allowing the public access to the Parliamentary process.

Members of the general public will be able to attend the oral evidence session, which will focus on the role of space within education.

The Science and Technology Committee launched a major and wide-ranging inquiry into aspects of UK space policy last year. The Committee is monitoring progress towards the strategic objectives of UK space policy and addressing some key broad issues, including the following:
• 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.

At the meeting, evidence will be heard from:

Ms Julie Bramman, Divisional Manager for School Curriculum, Department for Education and Skills;

Dr Robin Clegg, Head of Science and Society, Particle Physics and
Astronomy Research Council (PPARC);

Paul Spencer, Evaluator and Consultant, Space Connections; and

Professor Alan Wells, Emeritus Professor and Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow, University of Leicester, Non-Executive Director, National Space Centre

The session will take place on 30 January at 3.00pm in the Shuttle Suite, National Space Centre, Leicester.