§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations have been made to his Department about the United Nations 10 year ban on whaling; what action he has taken to implement the United 668W Nations efforts towards conserving the whale; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopA number of letters from conservation societies and others have been received by my Department. The United Kingdom is continuing, through the International Whaling Commission, to support international conservation measures based on the latest available scientific advice. Only four species of whale may now be hunted commercially. At its recent annual meeting, the commission adopted new procedures for the rational management of whale stocks which are designed to ensure that the stocks of all species are properly maintained. The United Kingdom itself ceased whaling in 1963.