Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what communication, if any, they have had with the government of New Zealand concerning reports in October 2024 that officials at its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advised the government of that country that plans to repeal a ban on the exploration of offshore oil and gas sources would potentially be inconsistent with its obligations under the UK–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK continues to engage with New Zealand through established channels under the Free Trade Agreement, including regular committee meetings and working groups, to ensure the Agreement is implemented effectively and in accordance with its provisions. The UK raised the issue of oil and gas developments with New Zealand in the lead up to, and following, the Environment and Climate Change Sub-Committee meeting in May 2025.
Asked by: Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs has had with the Falkland Islands Government and Legislative Assembly regarding the potential introduction of salmon farms to that territory.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Whilst the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly have not raised this issue specifically with Ministers, the natural resources of the Falkland Islands belong to the people of the Territory and their right to develop their natural resources is an integral part of the Falkland Islanders' right of self-determination. FCDO Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Legislative Assembly and Falkland Islands Government to discuss issues of importance to the Falkland Islands, including most recently meetings with me and Minister of State Stephen Doughty on 21 and 19 November respectively, in the margins of the Joint Ministerial Council.