"I wish to make Members aware of the details of a contingent liability guarantee, which will be entered into in favour of SEFE, in accordance with and pursuant to the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, to support British Steel Ltd, and for the purpose of securing the continued and …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"In Cornwall, we have Europe’s largest deposits of lithium, and in Devon, the world’s largest deposits of tungsten. The UK has the only Western source of rare earth alloys for F-35 fighter jets.
[Official Report, 24 November 2025; Vol. 776, c. 48.]
"In Cornwall, we have Europe’s largest deposits of lithium, and in Devon, the world’s second largest deposits of tungsten. The UK has the only Western source of rare earth alloys for F-35 fighter jets...." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"I am delighted that my hon. Friend has raised the issue of copper; I raised it nearly 10 years ago. Copper was not included in previous strategies because it was not regarded as a critical mineral. I am pleased to say that the new strategy creates a new category of …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"My hon. Friend correctly points out the essential role of ceramic refractories in the production of any high temperature processes, including critical minerals. I would be very happy to meet him later this evening to discuss both issues further...." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"Businesses with the kinds of technologies my hon. Friend mentions—separation technologies—can, as she said, access funding via the British Business Bank and the National Wealth Fund, and also the additional £50 million that we have made available. If it is a very early stage technology, I would encourage the business …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"My hon. Friend is right to point to the opportunity in Weardale, which is currently being investigated by Weardale Lithium. I do hope that the company is successful in the extraction of lithium. Of course, as he says, there is an opportunity for processing as well. The strategy identifies two …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"My hon. Friend is right to point out the importance of polyhalite and the uniqueness of the UK’s reserves. As I mentioned to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Luke Myer), the mine at Boulby, which I have visited, and hopefully soon the new mine …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"I could not agree more with my hon. Friend. There is an intrinsic link between the availability of critical minerals and the surety of defence, which is why so many countries are concerned about this. It is also why I am determined to ensure that British businesses are invested in …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"I agree that the security of the nation is very much dependent on the availability of these critical minerals. I hope that when people go to the ballot box, they think about the security of this nation and whether parties such as Reform can be trusted when they have senior …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech