"I thank the right hon. Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to clarify one point. He has formed the impression from my words, and I apologise if I was not clear, that we would supply only 10% from UK production. It is actually 10% from primary sources—that is, from mineral …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"My hon. and gallant Friend is right to raise the issue of AUKUS. I omitted AUKUS from the long list of international collaborations in my speech, but of course, there is an important role for AUKUS here through co-ordination between the nations involved. Our procurement reforms with the MOD will …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"We are determined to ensure that we exploit all the natural resources I mentioned that are available in the UK. The hon. Gentleman mentioned China’s strong grip on the processing of minerals, and that goes back to my earlier point about processing. It is one issue to get the raw …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"I am delighted that my hon. Friend has raised the issue of copper; I raised it nearly 10 years ago. Copper was not included in previous strategies because it was not regarded as a critical mineral. I am pleased to say that the new strategy creates a new category of …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"We already have projects for lithium recycling coming forward in Teesside that will benefit my hon. Friend’s constituents in Hartlepool. More than that, investments in nuclear power, the life extension of the existing power station, and small modular reactors in his constituency will all require critical minerals. He is right: …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"Clearly the strategy will help UK businesses to benefit, but in my hon. Friend’s constituency, Wolverhampton North East, Recyclus Group is already operating a state-of-the-art plant that makes full use of waterless, low-emission processes to recycle lithium-ion batteries. I am sure we will see many such technologies to make use …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"I agree that the security of the nation is very much dependent on the availability of these critical minerals. I hope that when people go to the ballot box, they think about the security of this nation and whether parties such as Reform can be trusted when they have senior …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"My hon. Friend correctly points out the essential role of ceramic refractories in the production of any high temperature processes, including critical minerals. I would be very happy to meet him later this evening to discuss both issues further...." Chris McDonald - View Speech
"I can today announce to the House that the Government are taking the next step in delivering a flagship intervention of the industrial strategy, by launching a consultation to seek stakeholders’ views on the proposed approach and eligibility for the new British industrial competitiveness scheme.
"Today the Government have published their new critical minerals strategy.
Growth is the No. 1 mission of this Government, and the modern industrial strategy is central to that mission. This critical minerals strategy follows on from the June publication of the industrial strategy, which confirmed critical minerals as a foundational …..." Chris McDonald - View Speech