§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of the applications by indigenous populations to recommend whaling. [23404]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 19 Janaury 1998]: The Government recognise the need to preserve the way of life and culture of indigenous peoples, and within the IWC has supported the granting of aboriginal subsistence quotas where these were justified by the needs of the indigenous people concerned and are fully sustainable. We consider it unlikely, however, that indigenous people who are not currently whaling will be able to demonstrate a valid need.