Space Industry Bill — Clause 68 — Regulations — Role of MPs in Parliament — Reports — Consultation — 6 Feb 2018 at 15:30

The majority of MPs voted not to require all regulations made under the Space Industry Bill to be approved by resolutions of the Commons and Lords. The Space Industry Bill provides powers for ministers to make regulations to regulate space activities, sub-orbital activities, and associated activities.

MPs were discussing the Space Industry Bill^[1]

The amendment rejected in this vote was:

• Amendment 1, page 44, line 35, after “offences,” insert—
• “(n) regulations under subsection (1) of this section”.

The rejected amendment would have impacted clause 68^[2] of the Bill. The clause permitted ministers to make regulations intended to further the purpose of the bill (to regulate space activities, sub-orbital activities, and associated activities) and required regulations that create offences to be laid before each House of Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House. The intended effect of the rejected amendment appears to have been to apply this safeguard to all regulations made under the provisions of the Bill. The rejected amendment would also have required reports and public consultations in relation to all regulations proposed to be made under the Bill.

(Isn't everything either a "space activity" or a "sub-orbital" activity? The terms are not defined in the Bill's Interpretation section)

The rejected amendment was accompanied by the following explanatory statement:

• This amendment would make regulations made under section 68(1) subject to the affirmative procedure.

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Space Industry Bill
• [2] Clause 68 of the Space Industry Bill as at the time of the vote

Debate in Parliament |