Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to conduct a post-construction environmental impact assessment of their new port at Duqm in Oman; whether they have made any assessment of the (1) overall environmental impact, and (2) impact on Arabian humpback whales, of the visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth to that port.

The Omani Port of Duqm Company administers the port and the Ministry of Defence has, and will continue to, comply with all relevant Omani and UK environmental regulations. This includes environmental impact assessments, if required, for all UK Defence activity at the port. The Port of Duqm Company has conducted an environmental health survey and the UK and Oman have a regular dialogue which encompasses a wide range of topics, including the environment.