Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks posed to AI infrastructure from the disruption to global supply of critical minerals, including helium, as a result of military operations in the Middle East.

In a fast-evolving situation, Government is closely monitoring the potential impact of disruption to trade and supply chains on the UK economy and AI infrastructure. The UK is working closely with international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Foreign Secretary issued an updated statement on this situation on April 8th.

A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK's economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. These risks strengthen the imperative of the UK Critical Minerals Strategy, with its key objectives of optimising domestic production while building resilient UK and global supply networks across critical minerals.