NORTH Swindon’s MP admitted to asking a UK space boss if he was any closer to finding aliens.

Justin Tomlinson’s unusual admission came as MPs backed the government’s Space Industry Bill.

The bill will bring in new powers to license spaceplanes and spaceports. 

It is also expected to create a new framework for regulating space flight, overseen by the Swindon-based UK Space Agency. 

Speaking in a House of Commons debate this week, Mr Tomlinson said that a recent trip to the UK Space Agency had been one of his “favourite” visits.

“[Graham Turnock, the chief executive] was incredibly passionate and patient with the eight million questions that I had, including where we had got to in finding aliens,” he said.

Welcoming the proposed law, he added: “This is a truly exciting Bill. It has huge potential financially for the UK in creating jobs and growth, inspiring the next generation, and uniting all political parties across the House. Together with all colleagues, I look forward to supporting the Bill as it progresses through the House [of Commons].

“The UK’s aerospace supply chain, manufacturers and service providers will benefit from opportunities to participate in the new market for small satellite launch and sub-orbital flight.”

Despite admitting that much of his space knowledge had been gained watching US sitcom The Big Bang Theory, he said that an expansion in the space industry could offer educational benefits for schools and colleges.

Mr Tomlinson added: “When I visit my local schools and talk to teachers about the work that the UK Space Agency does with its school visits and helping to inspire children, they are all really keen to take advantage of those resources. I urge the Minister to talk to his colleagues in the Department for Education to try to use this further, because it is genuinely inspirational.”

The Space Industry Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons and will now be scrutinised by committees of MPs. 

Welcoming the bill’s progress through parliament, UK Space Agency director Ross James, called it an “important and exciting milestone”.

“Our ambition is to enable home-grown launch markets which will give businesses across the country access to exciting new opportunities, and a market worth £10bn over the next 10 years,” he said.

“This is great news for Swindon, home to the UK Space Agency’s head office, which continues to grow, attracting high quality talent to support, develop and promote our thriving space sector.”