§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to bring forward legislation to repeal the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989; and if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Antarctica.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Government are fully committed to implementation of the environmental protocol to the Antarctic treaty. Ratification of the protocol and repeal of the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989 will depend on the introduction of legislation to give effect to the provisions of the protocol.
We shall introduce legislation when the business of the House permits.