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

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have the power to issue deep sea mining licences in UK Overseas Territories’ waters; and if so, whether they plan to issue any such licences.

The Deep Sea Mining Act 1981 (as amended by the Deep Sea Mining Act 2014) sets out the Government’s powers in relation to issuing deep sea mining licences, including the relationship with contracts granted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The 1981 Act (as amended) extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but may be extended by Order in Council to the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or any British overseas territory. To date, no such Order in Council or Statutory Instrument has been taken forward, and there are no current plans to do so.