Written questions by Nichols.

If she will issue guidance to UK-based Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) trustees on the use of British National (Overseas) passports by Hong Kongers as documentation to secure the early withdrawal of their retirement savings after permanently departing from Hong Kong.

This Government is deeply committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK. We are aware that individuals who have chosen to take up the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa route are having difficulties in drawing down early their pensions held in the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). Whilst documentary requirements for withdrawing funds early are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, the Government has raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. We have urged them to facilitate early draw down of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently and have made clear such discrimination of BN(O)s is unacceptable.

Whether there have been changes to the licence agreements issued to UK Seabed Resources Limited since January 2021.

There have been no changes to the licence agreements issued to UK Seabed Resources Limited since January 2021.

Whether his Department made an assessment of the potential costs and benefits to the UK of UK Seabed Resources Limited's two International Seabed Authority exploration licences.

The Department for Business and Trade has considered the potential future impacts to the UK in holding two Deep Sea Mining exploration licences and have found there is an opportunity for the UK to take a lead in this emerging market with potential for growth and revenue through taxation. This is subject to the establishment of strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines adopted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and where there is sufficient scientific evidence available to assess the potential impact of deep-sea mining activities on marine ecosystems.