To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rise in the price of tungsten is impacting the UK defence industry.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rise in the price of tungsten is impacting the UK defence industry.

Critical Minerals Strategy

The following extract is from the statement on Critical Minerals Strategy on 24 November 2025.

In Cornwall, we have Europe’s largest deposits of lithium, and in Devon, the world’s largest deposits of tungsten. The UK has the only Western source of rare earth alloys for F-35 fighter jets.

[Official Report,...

Critical Minerals Strategy

The following extract is from the statement on Critical Minerals Strategy on 24 November 2025.

In Cornwall, we have Europe’s largest deposits of lithium, and in Devon, the world’s largest deposits of tungsten. The UK has the only Western source of rare earth alloys for F-35 fighter jets.

[Official Report,...

Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to consider. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, these regulations, laid on 15 October, are necessary for the application

“to and in the UK in respect of Northern Ireland”

of the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, which is listed in Annexe 2 of the Northern Ireland protocol. The regulation establishes the due diligence obligations of the largest importers of...

My Lords, these regulations, laid on 15 October, are necessary for the application

“to and in the UK in respect of Northern Ireland”

of the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, which is listed in Annexe 2 of the Northern Ireland protocol. The regulation establishes the due diligence obligations of the largest importers of...

I am grateful to the Minister for his introduction. I do not think we need to detain the Committee long, as I have only two questions, about how these regulations are enforced. First, in his introduction, the Minister referred to inspectors employed by the Secretary of State. Can he be...

I am grateful to the Minister for his introduction. I do not think we need to detain the Committee long, as I have only two questions, about how these regulations are enforced. First, in his introduction, the Minister referred to inspectors employed by the Secretary of State. Can he be...

My apologies—I was finding it quite difficult to hear the Minister, but I caught most of what he said and I thank him for introducing this SI. I declare my interests as in the register.

The Minister is right that the global attempts to tackle the association of minerals with conflict...

My apologies—I was finding it quite difficult to hear the Minister, but I caught most of what he said and I thank him for introducing this SI. I declare my interests as in the register.

The Minister is right that the global attempts to tackle the association of minerals with conflict...

My Lords, I echo many of the comments that have already been made in this short debate. I, too, welcome the regulations and their need to address some important issues. When one looks at the title of the SI, it seems rather dry, but think about its impact. If, when...

My Lords, I echo many of the comments that have already been made in this short debate. I, too, welcome the regulations and their need to address some important issues. When one looks at the title of the SI, it seems rather dry, but think about its impact. If, when...

My Lords, first, I am grateful to all three noble Lords for their participation; I hope that the noble Baroness, Lady Northover, can hear me clearly. As all noble Lords have acknowledged and as I mentioned in my opening remarks, the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation comes into full force on

notus-xml...

My Lords, first, I am grateful to all three noble Lords for their participation; I hope that the noble Baroness, Lady Northover, can hear me clearly. As all noble Lords have acknowledged and as I mentioned in my opening remarks, the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation comes into full force on

notus-xml...

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the status of weapons containing white phosphorus, tungsten shrapnel or flechettes under international law; and whether their use in densely populated civilian areas is prohibited.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the status of weapons containing white phosphorus, tungsten shrapnel or flechettes under international law; and whether their use in densely populated civilian areas is prohibited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what effect the decision to purchase a tungsten armour piercing round will have on existing use of depleted uranium rounds; and if he will make a statement; what factors contributed to his decision to procure a tungsten armour piercing round; and if...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what effect the decision to purchase a tungsten armour piercing round will have on existing use of depleted uranium rounds; and if he will make a statement; what factors contributed to his decision to procure a tungsten armour piercing round; and if...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what dense metals (a) are and (b) have been used in the (i) development, (ii) testing and (iii) operational use of the BEe/RO BROACH MWS warhead systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what dense metals (a) are and (b) have been used in the (i) development, (ii) testing and (iii) operational use of the BEe/RO BROACH MWS warhead systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the military value of tungsten as an alternative to depleted uranium. - (Holding answer 22 October 2001).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the military value of tungsten as an alternative to depleted uranium. - (Holding answer 22 October 2001).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he is considering the availability of cost-effective alternatives to depleted uranium munitions; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he is considering the availability of cost-effective alternatives to depleted uranium munitions; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Royal Navy has tungsten-based ammunition for its Phalanx CIWS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Royal Navy has tungsten-based ammunition for its Phalanx CIWS.

What research his Department has carried out or commissioned on the use of tungsten tipped shells as an alternative to the use of depleted uranium.

What research his Department has carried out or commissioned on the use of tungsten tipped shells as an alternative to the use of depleted uranium.