HC Deb 02 May 1980 vol 983 cc703-5W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the text of the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources which is currently being discussed envisages any restrictions on which nations may participate in decision-making and voting; and what form of voting procedure is envisaged.

Mr. Hurd

The draft convention provides that the commission shall reach its decisions on matters of substance by consensus. Membership of the commission will be made up of the contracting parties which joined in the negotiation of the convention and any acceding party that engages in research or harvesting related to the resources to which the convention applies.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the United Nations environmental programme has been invited to attend the meeting in Canberra at which it is hoped to conclude agreement on a convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

Mr. Hurd

The United Nations environmental programme has not been invited to attend the Canberra meeting. We are not aware that it has asked to be represented.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements have been made for the accredition of the Antarctic and Southern Oceans Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations and of other non-governmental organisations as observers at the meeting in Canberra at which it is hoped to agree a convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources.

Mr. Hurd

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has been invited to send an observer to Canberra as being representative of the views of international non-governmental organisations.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that the present draft of the convention for the conservation of Antarctic living marine resources will operate effectively as a vehicle for the conservation of the area in question, although it ties member States to certain aspects of the Antarctic treaty, restricts membership and operates on the basis of a consensus voting system.

Mr. Hurd

The convention, as drafted, will be an effective conservation measure so long as the States involved develop any fishery cautiously within the convention framework. Ties with the Antarctic treaty ensure that the States active in the area are subject to similar obligations. We do not regard the membership and voting provisions as weaknesses in the convention.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is satisfied that the draft convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources can be used by member States to achieve a level and distribution of krill catches that will not jeopardise already endangered whale species, nor cause depletion of other species that feed on krill.

Mr. Hurd

Yes. The approach to conservation adopted in the draft convention provides a means for the restoration of depleted species and for the maintenance of the ecological relationships between harvested, dependent and related species.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the secretariats of the International Whaling Commission, the Convention on international trade in endangered species and the Bonn convention on migratory species have been invited to the meeting in Canberra.

Mr. Hurd

An invitation has been extended to the International Whaling Commission. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources—IUCN—which has been invited to send an observer to Canberra, provides secretariat services on behalf of UNEP for the endangered species convention. Secretariat services for the migratory species convention are provided by the Federal Republic of Germany, which is attending the meeting.