HC Deb 12 June 1990 vol 174 cc120-1W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will review the British response to the proposed Antarctic minerals convention in view of the concern expressed by individuals and organisations in Britain about the threat which mining developments would pose to the Antarctic environment.

Mr. Sainsbury

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 11 June.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey,Official Report, 3 May, column 626, what response his Department will make or has made to the joint paper on the French and Australian proposals received on 3 May; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

I refer the hon. Member to my replies on 9 May to the hon. Members for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton) and for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) and to my reply on 15 May to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn).

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which conference Dr. John Heap has attended as a representative of his Department, since February; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

None. In his personal capacity, however, Dr. Heap has attended conferences or meetings organised by the Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies and the Royal Geographical Society in London, and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the special consultative meeting of Antarctic treaty countries will take place; who will represent his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

Arrangements for the meeting have not been finalised.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the petroleum companies whose representatives his Department has met within the last 12 months with regard to the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities; the dates of the meetings and the nature of the discussions.

Mr. Sainsbury

None.

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