HC Deb 20 October 1988 vol 138 cc995-6
1. Mr. Harris

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take further action to restrict aboriginal whaling.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Donald Thompson)

We will go on insisting in the International Whaling Commission that the taking of whales by aboriginal communities continues to be very closely regulated. And the numbers permitted to be taken should be consistent with scientific advice on the status of the stocks. We will also continue to press for any necessary improvement in monitoring such whaling or in hunting methods employed.

Mr. Harris

While welcoming the tremendous international interest in the efforts that are taking place to rescue the three whales off Alaska, may I ask whether my hon. Friend agrees that the best way in which we can save the whale population as a whole is through organisations such as the International Whaling Commission? Does he think that possibly the time has come when we should stop whaling altogether?

Mr. Thompson

The United Kingdom Government's record on whaling is second to none, and we support the International Whaling Commission in all its efforts. However, many aboriginal communities still live off the whale and depend on it for their whole lifestyle. It would be wrong to think of those communities becoming dependent on the state rather than on their own commerce and industry. Nevertheless, I agree with the broad thrust of my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Tony Banks

I associate myself with the views of the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Harris). I am sure that there is enormous support on both sides of the House for the banning of all whaling. As certain aboriginal communities clearly depend on whale hunting, would it not be appropriate for countries such as our own to give them adequate financial compensation, so that they will not have to make any sacrifices in achieving something that we want? It will be very useful if the Minister can send a message to the United States Government, commending them for their noble efforts in trying to save the three grey whales in Alaska.

Mr. Thompson

I am sure that those associated with the United States Government read Hansard very carefully and will be pleased and surprised to learn of that last comment by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks). They need not have me slingshotted all the way across to Alaska. Besides, I have enough to do.

I cannot entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman's first suggestion, which was that we should put aboriginal communities on the dole, as it were, rather than let them follow their natural and long-established commercial practices. There is a time period over which we can change old-fashioned industries to modern ones. As we in the House all know, that pays dividends in the long run.