§ 4. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that in the 1962–63 Antarctic whaling season British, Norwegian, Russian and Dutch whalers were unable to catch their allotted quotas, owing to the serious decline in whales; and what steps he is taking to secure a new international agreement to curtail quotas before some kinds of whale become entinct or severely reduced.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)The total catch of whales in Antarctic waters is regulated by the international Whaling Commission. This meets at the beginning of July, and will consider measures to improve the serious situation to which the hon. Member refers. Her Majesty's Government will play a full part in its deliberations.
§ Mr. DigbyMay we be assured that my right hon. Friend will do everything he can to prevent these depredations from reducing the breeding stock to below the danger level, which is now becoming quite a possibility?
§ Mr. SoamesConservation must obviously be a most important feature in the forthcoming discussions, especially in view of the serious situation of the whale population as a whole. My hon. Friend will be aware that we have 5 per cent. of the total quota, but we will do our best in these discussions to express our views to all the countries concerned.