Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department is taking to support the application of Northern Ireland to host the UK Space Conference in 2017.

I am strongly supportive of efforts to develop the space economy in Northern Ireland and am keen to work with Northern Ireland Ministers to deliver growth in this important sector. The Space Agency has welcomed the proposal from Northern Ireland to host the UK Space Conference in 2017, which it will consider in due course alongside proposals for other potential venues, to ensure that they are in the best position to deliver a successful event.