§ 3.9 p.m.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy 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 are persuaded by widespread revulsion of public opinion against the massive slaughter of young seals in Canada to represent to the Canadian Government that future export of seal pelts to the United Kingdom will be unwelcome, or whether alternatively they will put this first among their import controls.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, the Canadian Government is well aware, through its High Commission in London, 235 of the strong and widespread feeling aroused by this issue in Britain. Her Majesty's Government are also fully aware of the extent of public concern and have received many requests to ban imports of seal pelts. In this respect I understand that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade will be consulting his ministerial colleagues to determine whether action on the lines suggested would now be appropriate.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that I am obliged for that Answer, but I am sorry that for her it is an unusually qualified Answer? May I ask whether the Statement made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in another place about the Government's review of the position denotes a serious intention to consider action on this matter? Will my noble friend take care to ensure that the Government do not lag behind public opinion in this country? Can she confirm that the United States of America already ban these imports and that France is considering doing the same? Will she ask her noble friends to represent to the Canadian Government that it will impair the good relations between the people of this country and Canada if this annual slaughter continues?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, many opponents of the Canadian cull have claimed that France and the United States of America have already banned imports of the skins of the seals concerned. My information is, in fact, that none of these countries has such a ban in operation, but the Statement made by my honourable friend in another place a few days ago, to the effect that lie was consulting his ministerial colleagues, holds good. It is not a matter which affects only the Department of Trade; it affects the environment and industry and there have to be the widest possible consultations at ministerial level before any pronouncement can be made.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the Canadian cull of seals is very heavily controlled as to what is thought scientifically necessary? Furthermore, it is limited. Lastly, is she also aware that the Canadian. Royal Society for the 236 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals personally surveys this cull?
§ Baroness STEDMANYes, my Lords, the noble Lord is quite right. The cull is primarily intended to protect the ecological balance between the size of the seal herd and the necessity to maintain the stocks of fish.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the Minister aware that it is not only in this country that deep feeling exists but that many of us have been surprised by the letters, and even cables, that we have received from many parts of the world? Is it not the case that, even if the United States and France are not at this time putting a ban into operation, they are very actively considering it? Cannot our Government give them an example?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, I thought I explained in my initial Answer that there are ministerial consultations going on at the moment as to what attitude and what means we can take in order to assuage the feelings of the people of this country and of other countries; but until those consultations are concluded we are not in a position to make any pronouncement.
§ Lord BOOTHBYMy Lords, I should like to ask the noble Baroness whether Her Majesty's Government realise that the annual slaughter of these delightful animals is becoming an international scandal? Will Her Majesty's Government do everything in their power to bring pressure to bear on the Canadian Government to put an end to it?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, as I have said, the Canadian Government is well aware—because we have made our feelings known to the High Commission in this country—of the views of the people here and, I am sure, in the other countries of the world, but beyond that we cannot interfere in what another Government is doing.