In his statement, my right hon.

The Minister mentioned the diplomatic barriers that still exist. I wonder whether he will elaborate on that.

I am trying to resist intervening too much, but before we move on from Ascension, my understanding is that the Island Council is willing

Of course, I hugely welcome that announcement.

I beg to move, That this House has considered the Government’s blue belt programme and the South Sandwich islands.

To suggest that we should not protect an area because it has not yet been destroyed is madness; the same argument could equally have been

May I ask my hon. Friend to hold off for a second? I know what he is going to ask me.

I very much take the hon. Gentleman’s point; in fact, he takes the words out of my mouth.

I thank my right hon. Friend very much for his intervention, and I agree with him 100%.

When criticising a Labour Budget in 2005, my right hon.