§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to repeal the Antarctic Minerals Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesNot at present. We shall await the outcome of the next meeting of Antarctic treaty parties in Madrid next month before a decision is taken on what action is required.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to sign the draft protocol of the Antarctic treaty parties agreed at the Madrid summit.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe final text of the protocol has not yet been agreed by the Antarctic treaty parties. It would, therefore, be premature to speculate on a date for its signature.