§ Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts are being made to reduce the cruelty to whales consequent on the use of explosive harpoons; and what research is being carried out on other methods of killing.
§ Mr. BishopThe International Whaling Commission agreed last year to examine the results of all investigations into methods of humane killing and to develop specific programmes of research. The commission will be reviewing progress during the course of its meeting this week.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure a reduction in the number of whales which may be slaughtered and a total ban on the slaughter of endangered species of whale.
§ Mr. BishopAt its meeting this week, the International Whaling Commission, on which Her Majesty's Government is represented, will be considering in the492W light of the findings of its Scientific Committee what catch quotas would be permissible for those species not subject to the full protection of a total prohibition on catching.