Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the role of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Commonwealth Affairs is regarding the development and production of oil in new offshore fields within Falkland Island waters in light of the Offshore Minerals Ordinance (Rectification) Order 2011.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. It is integral to their right of self-determination, which this Government will resolutely uphold. Any new hydrocarbons licences require the consent of the Secretary of State, who acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation, we do not comment on individual licences.

The Government of the Falkland Islands is responsible for hydrocarbon development and the relevant regulatory framework, which includes provision for safety and environmental protection. The Falkland Islands Government have followed their own domestic legal processes in relation to the Sea Lion oil field, including in respect of assessing environmental impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Commonwealth Affairs has consented to the development and production programme for the Sea Lion Northern oil field.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. It is integral to their right of self-determination, which this Government will resolutely uphold. Any new hydrocarbons licences require the consent of the Secretary of State, who acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation, we do not comment on individual licences.

The Government of the Falkland Islands is responsible for hydrocarbon development and the relevant regulatory framework, which includes provision for safety and environmental protection. The Falkland Islands Government have followed their own domestic legal processes in relation to the Sea Lion oil field, including in respect of assessing environmental impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the role of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs has been in the approval of oil production licenses in the Falkland Islands in the last thirty years; and whether they anticipate any imminent changes to that role.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. It is integral to their right of self-determination, which this Government will resolutely uphold. Any new hydrocarbons licences require the consent of the Secretary of State, who acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation, we do not comment on individual licences.

The Government of the Falkland Islands is responsible for hydrocarbon development and the relevant regulatory framework, which includes provision for safety and environmental protection. The Falkland Islands Government have followed their own domestic legal processes in relation to the Sea Lion oil field, including in respect of assessing environmental impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impact of new oil fields in Falkland Island waters; and whether they support the development of new oil fields in those waters.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. It is integral to their right of self-determination, which this Government will resolutely uphold. Any new hydrocarbons licences require the consent of the Secretary of State, who acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation, we do not comment on individual licences.

The Government of the Falkland Islands is responsible for hydrocarbon development and the relevant regulatory framework, which includes provision for safety and environmental protection. The Falkland Islands Government have followed their own domestic legal processes in relation to the Sea Lion oil field, including in respect of assessing environmental impact.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the government of the Falkland Islands regarding whether oil extraction from the Sea Lion oil field is targeted for 2028; and on which occasions the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has offered advice and assistance to the government of the Falkland Islands with their licensing process to drill and produce oil from the Sea Lion oil field and related developments offshore the Falkland Islands.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop its natural resources. This is integral to its right of self-determination, which is grounded in international law. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

Found: Brennan of Canton; Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell; Lord Grantchester; Lord Jackson of Peterborough; Lord Moynihan

Found: Brennan of Canton; Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell; Lord Grantchester; Lord Jackson of Peterborough; Lord Moynihan