Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to develop legally binding environmental regulations for lunar mining and habitation activities; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of international frameworks, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to prevent the appropriation of lunar resources.

The UK Government has an active voice in international discussions on peaceful uses of the Moon, including space resource use and protection of the lunar environment, via the Lunar Activities Action Team and Space Resources Working Group at the United Nations, and as a founding signatory of the Artemis Accords. The use of space resources is recognised as a key enabler of exploration, enabling humans to live and work on the Moon. The UK is helping lead the drive for international consensus on emerging lunar activities to promote safe, sustainable and peaceful exploration within the framework of international law, including the Outer Space Treaty.