Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the 30 per cent drop in Anglo American PLC's profit, whether they are taking part in any discussions about the health of the United Kingdom commodity market.

Her Majesty’s Government has made no contact with Anglo American PLC, and no discussions have taken place about the health of the UK commodity market.

Conditions in the global commodity market remain challenging across all sectors, chiefly the result of the on-going glut in oil supply, the prospect of further capacity coming on stream from Iran and Iraq and continuing uncertainty regarding China’s economic prospects. BIS monitors metals markets, but responsibility for specific commodity markets is spread across different departments.