Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Antarctica

(asked on 12th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for what reason the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Americas, Caribbean and the Overseas Territories) visited Antarctica.


Answered by
David Rutley Portrait
David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 21st December 2023

I [Minister Rutley] have not visited Antarctica yet but will travel to the region at the end of December 2023. During the visit, I will see first-hand the impact of climate change on this unique environment. I will also have the opportunity to observe the world-class scientific work of the British Antarctic Survey. As the Minister with responsibility for the Polar Regions, the visit will also provide an opportunity to support and thank those who work in Antarctica for extended periods. This will be the first visit to Antarctica by an FCO/FCDO Minister since 2001.

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