Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rebecca Pow and Alan Duncan

Tuesday 26th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) (Con)]

T2. This Government have done great work supporting marine conservation around the world, but will my right hon. Friend outline what plans the Department has to support the marine protected area around the pristine waters of Ascension Island? This would cost as little as £120,000 a year to enforce and oversee, which represents good value.

[The Minister for Europe and the Americas (Sir Alan Duncan)]

As pioneers of the first marine protected area in the Southern ocean, the UK is working actively to see new designations in the Weddell sea, the east Antarctic and around the Antarctic peninsula. Ascension Island intends to designate a marine protected area this year, and a consultation is under way.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rebecca Pow and Alan Duncan

Tuesday 4th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) (Con)]

I am proud that the UK has taken a global lead on tackling plastics in our oceans and the terrible pollution that it causes, including, of course, the ban on microbeads and microplastics. None the less, more must be done. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we should continue to talk with other nations, so that they follow our example, and that we bring in the cause of microfibres as well, which are causing devastating pollution, too?

[Sir Alan Duncan]

At the Commonwealth meeting, the Prime Minister launched the UK-Vanuatu-led Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance, which sees countries across the Commonwealth join forces in the fight against plastic, including a ban on microbeads. I shall take further steps after these questions to investigate further the extent to which it also might include microfibres.