HL Deb 02 August 1972 vol 334 cc277-8

2.32 p.m.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they accept the recommendations in paragraph 38 of Subject Area 11 of the unofficial version of the Stockholm Conference on Environment to the effect that there should be a ten-year moratorium on commercial whaling.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government voted in favour of the Stockholm recommendation, and we also voted for a moratorium proposal at the recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission. The International Whaling Commission rejected by a majority the idea of a total ban on whaling but nevertheless it extended indefinitely its existing moratoria on the five endangered species of whale, and it agreed quotas at new low levels for all species still caught.

Her Majesty's Government supported at the International Whaling Conference the other parts of the Stockholm recommendation which called for the strengthening of the International Whaling Commission and for increased research effort. These were accepted by the Commission.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, if the International Whaling Commission cannot help in this recommendation is it not desirable that Her Majesty's Government should take a further step and possibly follow the United States of America in banning whale imports to this country? I understand they are quite considerable. Would it not show also our earnest intention to fulfil the obligations of the Stockholm Conference?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I would assure my noble friend that there have been quite significant advances in the protection of whales since this last conference, as I indicated in my original reply. The question of imports is under active review. The pet food manufacturers, who account for a very significant amount of imports, recently undertook not to enter into any more contracts to import whale meat. But possible restrictions on imports for other purposes are also being considered.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, while I should have expected the noble Earl, Lord Ferrers, to be in sympathy with what the noble Earl, Lord Selkirk, has said, may I ask if it is not a fact that, according to recent scientific reports, certain species of whales are not in danger at all and is it a fact that the Government are making a selective approach on good scientific advice or without scientific advice?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the matter is being approached on scientific advice. The species of whales which are in danger have a moratorium which has been extended indefinitely. Those which are commercially fished, such as the sei, the fin, the minke and the sperm, all have quotas on their catch, and it is these that are mostly affected by imports.