HC Deb 30 June 1947 vol 439 cc936-7
32. Mr. T. Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Far Eastern Commission or the U.S. authorities in Japan control policy regarding Japanese whale fishing in the Antarctic; and what steps he is taking to protest against the second Japanese whaling ex-pidition sanctioned by the U.S. authorities against the wishes of the Australian Government.

36. Mr. Harrison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the protest made to the U.S. State Department, regarding permission being granted on two occasions for Japanese whaling expeditions to operate in the Antarctic by the U.S. authorities, have resulted in assurances that proper consultation with other Powers will take place before any further permits are issued.

44. Dr. Haden Guest

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a second whaling expedition to the Antarctic has been authorised by the General Officer Commanding the Occupation Forces in Japan without prior consultation with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand; and what conditions have been imposed on Japanese whalers to prevent a destructive inroad into an important source of world fat supplies by indiscriminate slaughter of whales.

Mr. Mayhew

The U.S. Government did not consult with the other interested Governments, which include the Governments of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, before authorising the second Japanese whaling expedition in the Antarctic. Our Ambassador in Washington is being instructed to re-open this question with the United States Government.