§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will support the Canadian Government's proposal to the Commission of the European Communities for the reference to independent scientific experts, including the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, of questions related to the seal population and management and methods of slaughter.
§ Mr. RifkindWe understand that the Commission is studying the Canadian proposal and that it has meanwhile asked the Nature Conservancy Council for a report on the seal population. We shall consider the merits of the Canadian proposal in the light of that report and of any other independent scientific evidence that becomes available.