§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what quantity of sperm whale oil imported in the first six months of 1977 originated in non-member States of the International Whaling Commission; and if, in view of that body's recent resolution deprecating such trade, he will now prohibit such imports.
§ Mr. CryerAlthough monthly total quantities and values for sperm oil imports are published, country details are suppressed to prevent disclosure of confidential commercial information. But I understand that nearly all the sperm oil imported into the United Kingdom origin-12W ates in countries which are members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), and that it is many years since the major importers here obtained supplies from non-member States.
At the last meeting of the IWC the United States of America put forward a resolution calling for a ban on the importation of whale products from non-IWC countries, and the resolution was accepted by the Commission. The resolution represents an obligation to take action, and Commissioners are required to report at the next annual meeting on measures taken by their Governments to give effect to the resolution. Preliminary reports are due to be with the Commission by 14th April 1978.
It may be that our international trade agreements will make the implementation of this resolution difficult, and this matter is being considered by the Government's legal advisers.