§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends implementing the resolution of the International Whaling Commission on non-trade in whale products from non- 512W whaling countries; and if he will amend the open general import licence in terms similar to that applying to goods originating from Rhodesia.
§ Mr. BishopThere is a prohibition on importation into the United Kingdom from any source of all whale products except sperm whale oil, spermaceti wax, ambergris, products incorporated abroad into manufactured goods and certain minor whale products. My information is that there has been no significant use in this country of sperm whale oil from non-IWC countries for over ten years. In practice therefore the objectives of the International Whaling Commission resolution are being substantially achieved, though to implement its precise terms might involve conflict without international obligations under GATT and the Treaty of Rome.