Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to secure the UK's interests in the High North.

The Government's Arctic Policy Framework, Looking North: The UK and the Arctic, complemented by the UK's Defence Contribution in the High North, set out the UK's aspirations for a safe, secure and peaceful region. The Government collaborates closely with regional partners to protect the environment, promote sustainable prosperity and ensure long-term security and stability, and recently announced new funding for our world-class science engagement in the Arctic.