Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to stop all support for offshore hydrocarbon extraction in the Arctic region and foster co-operation with the Arctic Council on the issue.

In line with UK policy, the UK Government no longer provides new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas, other than in limited circumstances, such as to support clean cooking fuel in developing countries.

Decisions on oil and gas activities, including hydrocarbon extraction in the Arctic region, are matters for the relevant national authorities.

Decisions at all levels in the Arctic Council are the exclusive rights of the Arctic States with the involvement of the Permanent Participants, with the UK as a State Observer.