Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government will work with the Governments and Administrations of the UK Overseas Territories on timescales for publishing a new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to mandating the use of swift bricks in new-build houses.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We will consider what further action may be appropriate to promote swift bricks and achieve positive outcomes for our swift population.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of proposed changes by the Cayman Islands government to the National Conservation Law on their ability to minimise the effects of climate change in the territory.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK is committed to strengthening our partnership with the Overseas Territories to protect and sustainably manage our unique and globally significant environments. However, responsibility for environment and climate change policy is a devolved matter. We understand the Cayman Islands Government's draft National Conservation Bill is not yet finalised but will be published for public consultation before it is debated in Parliament.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental impacts of the Cayman Islands government’s proposed east-west arterial road project.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The responsibility for any environmental impact assessments for road projects is with the Cayman Islands Government, as environment is devolved to Overseas Territories (OTs) governments. Defra regularly engages with the OTs to facilitate knowledge exchange on environmental issues, where requested.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the changes proposed by the Cayman Islands government to the National Conservation Law and their implications for standards of governance in the territory; and what discussions they have had with the Cayman Islands government on these issues.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to strengthening our partnership with the Overseas Territories (OTs) to protect and sustainably manage our unique and globally significant environments. However, responsibility for environment and climate change policy is a devolved matter. We understand the Cayman Islands Government's draft National Conservation Bill is not yet finalised but will be published for public consultation before it is debated in Parliament.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the expected (1) process, and (2) timeframe, for any future decisions on continued sponsorship of UK Seabed Resources Limited’s two International Seabed Authority exploration contracts.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

UK Seabed Resources Limited has two International Seabed Authority exploration contracts, UKSR1 and UKSR2. These have an initial period of 15 years with the contract period of UKSR1 ending in 2026 and UKSR2 ending in 2027.
The UK Deep Sea Mining (Exploration Licences) Regulations 1984 states that exploration licences can be extended for successive periods of 5 years. Any decisions on the future of these licences will be made in consultation with the company and other relevant UK Government departments. The Department for Business and Trade will ensure a robust process is in place and that any decisions made are in line with statutory requirements.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted, or plan to conduct, stakeholder consultations on any future decisions to re-sponsor UK Seabed Resources Limited’s two exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

A stakeholder consultation has not been conducted on any future decision to re-sponsor UK Seabed Resources Limited’s two exploration contracts. The Department for Business and Trade, working closely with the relevant departments, will ensure a robust process is in place and that any decisions made are in line with statutory requirements.

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