§ 15. Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in connection with the recent agreement reached between Great Britain, Japan, Norway, the Soviet Union and the Netherlands with regard to whaling operations, the observers, who under the agreement will accompany the whaling fleet, will be instructed to ensure that the most humane methods are used in connection with the capture and killing of the whales.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThe duty of the observers under the agreement is to verify the observance of the provisions of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. The provisions relate to the conservation of the whale stocks and not to the methods by which whales may be captured and killed.
§ Mr. BurdenDoes not my hon. Friend agree that some of the methods used to slaughter whales cause diabolical cruelty? Now that there has been some agreement on the conservation of whales, would it not be right and proper to try to reach agreement on their killing so as to ensure that they are killed in the most humane way possible?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThe Commission's investigations reveal that the newer methods are much more humane, and that there are possibilities of improving them still further, and developing new and better ones. I am sure that my right hon. Friend will keep this matter in mind.
§ Mr. BurdenIf the new methods are more humane, why should not there be an insistence upon their use, instead of the old ones which are so cruel?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsThis is a matter for the Commission. At the moment we do not do any whaling. We are on the sidelines, so to speak.
§ Mr. BurdenThen make representations.