Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve the Blue Belt Programme in the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

The FCDO's Blue Belt Programme provides the UK Overseas Territories (OTs) with support, training and technical expertise to protect species and habitats within their waters. Each OT is unique, therefore the management and protective measures are Territory specific. The Blue Belt Programme is currently supporting the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to undertake the second 5-year review of its Marine Protected Area. The results of this review are due to be published in the new year.