Speeches by Law.

“You have more of less answered my next question, on whether it is realistic to expect the private sector to step up and fill those gaps. Do you feel that, with the right support, the Government can encourage that sufficiently?”

“That is interesting. You think that the financing gap is a bit of a myth then?”

“It is interesting that none of you has mentioned BII. That perhaps does speak to the situation that we are in now.”

“Thanks for having me guest from the International Development Committee. I should also declare my role as the chair of the APPG on critical minerals. One thing that we talk about a lot in that group, in addition to permitting and energy costs, is financing. Perhaps, Mr Pople, you can start us off with your succinct vie…”

“Finally, Professor Ekins, on these two questions, how should the UK work with its global partners, and what is our offer? Is it clear?”

“You have mentioned a number of sources of Government funding there that are available to various projects. Before coming on to our other panellists, are there any particular gaps that you would identify within that?”

“Very briefly, which other sorts of support?”

“Very briefly, if we take capacity building, does the UK have a clearly defined offer to its allies and potential partners?”

“That is understood. Mike, what is your view, please, on the financing gaps?”

“I will put the same couple of questions to the other panellists. Do you think that the UK has a clearly defined offer to its allies and potential partners on beneficiation, for example, as you have just mentioned?”

“If I can just come in for a final word, a lot of this did not come up in our previous panels. It seems like we are at an early stage. How would you, Minister, define better that team UK offer?”

“Can I briefly clarify that? Is that just for copper? Are you talking different business models across different commodities?”

“Last but certainly not least with regards to this question, Mr Monk, what would be your view on the financing gaps?”

“I understood that pecking order, with domestic processing being right at the top of that. Do you see development finance having that role in de-risking our supply chains domestically? Are we there yet?”

“Minister, you mentioned earlier that you do not see critical minerals as primarily a means of overseas development, in the way perhaps some do. Therefore, what is the role of those partnerships with developing countries? What role should development finance play within that?”

“Turning specifically to developing countries and to turning some of those global partnerships and warm words into action, how should we be working with some of those developing country partners? What projects or agreements should we be forging? Starting with you, Mr Spittle, is there a way to do that while promoting hi…”

“Is there a benefit to the UK in doing that?”

“Mr Lindberg, what should the UK’s offer be to our global partners in the developing world?”

“I am sure that residents in Gwallon Keas in my constituency are incredibly grateful to my hon. Friend for securing this debate, as am I. Does he agree that this is not just taxation by stealth, but an unsung privatisation by stealth of our public realm in recent decades? Does he, as I do, welcome the Minister’s recent …”

“Yes.”