§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received complaints about the slaughter of whales from individuals, organisations and the media protesting against the uncontrolled slaughter of whales; whether he gave any undertaking about their complaints; and what progress he is now able to report up to the present time.
§ Mr. BishopMany letters have been received protesting about the alleged "uncontrolled slaughter" of whales. Detailed replies have been sent explaining the work of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) which was set up some 30 years ago to provide for the conservation, development and utilisation of the world's whale resources.
The United Kingdom ceased whaling operations in 1963. As a founder member of the IWC, however, we have continued to play an active part in its work.
It is disturbing to note that in many of the letters received there has been little or no recognition of the IWC's recent fundamental progress in regulating catches. Under its new management policy there is complete and automatic protection for those stocks which in the past have been over exploited such as blue whales, humpback whales, right whales, gray whales and bowhead whales. All these whales, and nearly all fin and sei whales may not be hunted. Only the more abundant stocks of five species may be caught and these only under the quota schemes set by the IWC on the basis of its expert scientific advice.
My right hon. Friend and I welcome the concern of those who have written saying that whale stocks must be properly maintained and protected; this view has been held by successive administrations who have recognised the importance of agreed international action to protect the whale. Since we are anxious that public concern should be better informed than hitherto I have prepared a memorandum setting out the Government's position more fully. Copies of this memorandum 749W have been placed in the Library of the House.