HC Deb 05 July 1989 vol 156 cc177-8W
Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose of the airstrip being constructed by the French in Antarctica; and what effect this project is having on wildlife in the region.

Mr. Eggar

The airstrip is needed to facilitate glaciological research in a key area of the Antarctic interior. The results of this research will be made available to Antarctic treaty parties.

There have been differing reports from environmentalists and the French authorities on the extent of the effect on wildlife in the region. The French Government have promised to produce a paper on the construction of the airstrip which will give further details.

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