Speaking in the House of Commons, NE Herts MP Oliver Heald pressed Ministers to join the EU Horizon and Copernicus programmes dealing with scientific research cooperation and also space research with the European Union and praised companies such as Johnson Matthey, Airbus and other  NE Herts and Stevenage companies which are at the forefront of science and technology. He also paid tribute to the quality of the workforce locally. Science & Technology Secretary of State Michelle Donelan joined him in paying tribute to the workforce in NE Herts and said she looked forward to visiting and that she would press the case for Britain to join the EU programmes.