Oral Answers to Questions

Christine Jardine Excerpts
Tuesday 30th April 2024

(6 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
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My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I am advised that the meeting is, I think, today.

Christine Jardine Portrait Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD)
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Many of my constituents have written to me concerned that the UK is delaying its ratification of the global ocean treaty, which could limit human activity in what would be known as sanctuary areas in order to protect valuable marine life. Has a Minister made an assessment of how that could work with the blue belt programme to ensure that our overseas territories have the highest possible protection for their water and their biodiversity?

Andrew Mitchell Portrait Mr Mitchell
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The hon. Lady makes a good point. The Government are extremely well joined up on that—I made the point earlier about the DEFRA Minister working closely with the Foreign Office on these matters—so I think she can reassure her constituents that that matter is very much in hand.