§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling prohibits member countries from importing whales, or their products, taken in contravention of the Convention, or by non-signatories; and, if not, if Her Majesty's Government will undertake to propose an appropriate amendment at the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission.
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§ Mr. BishopThe provisions of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling do not extend to prohibitions on trade. In view of the very small percentage of the total catch which is taken in contravention of, or outside, the provisions of the Convention my right hon. Friend does not propose to seek any amendment to it.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many signatory States to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, claim jurisdiction over their nationals for acts done outside their territorial boundaries; and which States are obliged by Article IX, 1 of the Convention to punish their nationals who take whales in contravention of the Convention.
§ Mr. BishopUnder the provisions of article IX of the International Convention for the regulation of whaling all Contracting States are required to punish infringements of the Convention, for which specific penalties are prescribed in the Article, by persons or vessels under their jurisdiction and report these to the Commission. The enforcement of national legislation, the details of which are not available, is aided by the presence of national inspectors as well as international observers accredited to the Commission who visit whaling ships and stations.