Written question asked by Alan Brown (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 18 July 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 July 2016 (named day). It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 July 2016 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Western Sahara: Natural Resources

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will call for an end to the extraction of natural resources from Western Sahara through agreements that disregard the interests and wishes of the indigenous Saharawi people.

Answer: UK policy on commercial activity in Western Sahara is clear and longstanding and follows the legal opinion sought by the UN in 2002: that such activity is not in itself in violation of international legal principles unless it proceeds without respect to the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara. We continue to urge any commercial entity considering investing in Western Sahara to follow this advice and seek their own legal advice.

Secondary information