§ 9. Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulations have been made in respect of an aquarium in county hall, London SE1. [33941]
§ Mr. ClappisonNone.
§ Madam SpeakerThat is a good answer.
§ Madam SpeakerAt least it is a straightforward answer.
§ Mr. BanksUnfortunately, it is not a helpful one, as an aquarium is due to open at county hall and it would appear that the Shirayama corporation, which is to run the aquarium, has not yet sought permission from the Department of the Environment for the species that it intends to import. Will the Minister check what species the organisers intend to put into the aquarium? It is not at all acceptable in terms of animal welfare. In view of what the Japanese are doing in the Antarctic—killing minke whales under the guise of scientific whaling in order to eat them—will the Minister check that they will not use the aquarium in county hall to bring in dolphins so that they can serve whale meat in the restaurants?
§ Mr. ClappisonI can help the hon. Gentleman. I understand that the organisation has applied under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. Notwithstanding the building's former use, apparently such an application is required. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman's hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone) would approve of the use of county hall as an aquarium. I cannot say whether there will be any newts in the aquarium, but it will definitely contain dog-faced puffers, tomato clown fish and red-bellied piranhas, among others. I understand that no application is required under CITES. I know that the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) is an expert on endangered species, and also something of an authority on endangered species within the Labour party—Members who speak their mind.
§ Mr. Bernard JenkinDoes my hon. Friend recall a time when certain unattractive species used to inhabit county hall? Can he give an undertaking that those 714 dangerous and expensive species, who promised to spend a great deal of money to no good effect, will never be allowed back into county hall?
§ Mr. ClappisonThankfully, that species is becoming endangered and will become even more so when the public hear of the plans to create unnecessary bureaucracy and waste in London with organisations which duplicate work being done by others, all of which will result in substantial expense for London taxpayers—a new form of danger from new Labour.