§ 15. Mr. David Jamesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet discovered a satisfactory substitute for sperm oil to enable him to ban the importation of all whale products.
§ 40. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has now given to the prohibition of the imports of whale products; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartInvestigations undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry into sperm oil usage have indicated that substitutes for some of its uses are available but that certain industries would face difficulties if it were not imported. Sperm whales have not been over-exploited, but baleen whales have. So to supplement the measures of the International Whaling Commission the Government are banning all imports of whale products, except sperm oil, spermaceti wax, ambergris and those products incorporated abroad into manufactured goods. The ban will start from midnight tonight.
§ Mr. JamesMy hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) is sorry that he cannot be here. Does my hon. Friend recognise that this is very good news, which will be widely welcomed far beyond the confines of both sides of the House? I do not wish to sound ungracious, but will he persist in his researches with a view to making the ban total as soon as possible?
§ Mr. StodartI have been conscious of the feelings on this subject, owing to the very substantial mail that I have received in the last three days from all over the country. I undertake to look as closely as I can into my hon. Friend's request.