International Marine Protected Area: Sargasso Sea

Lord Howell of Guildford Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I will have to take the right reverend Prelate’s word that that is the case. That certainly makes sense to me. As signatories to the agreement, we would hope to work with our partners, wherever they may be, to bring the benefits of this treaty as widely as possible.

[Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)]

My Lords, I know that we have signed the global ocean treaty, but have we ratified it yet? Does the Minister think that the Commonwealth, which is increasingly involved in maritime affairs, with 33 island states, has an important role to play and could it make it work still better?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The Commonwealth is a vital international union of countries that can do much good around the world. As for ratification, the noble Lord is right—we have not ratified it yet, but I hope that we will be able to do so imminently.