Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is the Government's policy that the Nord Stream pipelines should remain closed and not used for the supply of Russian gas.

The Government continues to work closely with the Government of Germany and other partners to strengthen European energy security and maintain pressure on Russia. The Foreign Secretary has not raised the reported comments by the leader of the Alternative fur Deutschland with his German counterpart or discussed Russian gas supplies with the Deputy Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union. The Foreign Secretary and his German counterpart regularly discuss Russia's war against Ukraine, including support for Ukraine, European security, and the need to maintain pressure on Russia.

The Government supports efforts to strengthen European energy security and reduce dependence on Russian energy. The Government will continue to work with European partners to reduce the revenues available to Russia to fund its war against Ukraine.