Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their position on the sovereignty of British Antarctic Territory.

The UK has no doubt about our sovereignty over the British Antarctic Territory. It is the oldest territorial claim in Antarctica, dating back to 1908. The UK is also fully committed to the Antarctic Treaty, 1959. The UK maintains a permanent presence in Antarctica through the British Antarctic Survey, who operate three scientific stations, and the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, who manage the historic base at Port Lockroy. The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship is deployed to Antarctica during the austral summer, reaffirming our sovereignty over the British Antarctic Territory and monitoring compliance with the Antarctic Treaty.