Does Britain really need a spaceport?

I’M DELIGHTED to hear that the Government is considering potential sites in Scotland, Wales and Cornwall for Britain’s first commercial spaceport. Let’s hope it is in full swing before the end of the current Parliament. This should ensure Mr Cameron’s third term. A space station is just what we’ve all been waiting for. We really do need industries. It’s shocking we can no longer make ladies’ stockings, but at least we have a Prime Minister who is prepared to do something about it. As Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin says: ‘The economic potential of the new technology is huge and I am determined the UK gets maximum benefit.’ I’m sure we’ll reap a golden bonanza. Our whole galaxy is crying out for UK products, quite apart from the rest of the universe. If we can keep transport costs down, the demand for our goods will solve all our economic problems. Our tourist industry will also benefit. The moon is a mere quarter of a million miles away — a short hop. As a pensioner, I hope there will be concessionary rates for the aged. I hope Dave will pay special attention to the timetables, as we don’t want to wait ages for a spaceship and then have three turn up. My thanks to him for coming up with a brilliant idea.

PATRICK DONOVAN, Burbage, Leics.

i Am SURPRISED the Government plans to build a spaceport in a period of austerity, when public transport is being destroyed by its cuts. i live in a village between Nottingham and derby, which won’t have any buses after 7.30pm or on Sundays. But, it seems, there are funds to build this vanity project. meanwhile, the Government is also spending £50 billion-plus on HS2. it will have a station around eight miles from here but, for all the good it will do, it might just as well be in space!

TED FLINTOFF, West Hallam, Derbys.