§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present population of each of the five British bases in Antarctica.
§ Mrs. Rumbold[holding answer 3 May 1990]: I have been asked to reply.
The present (overwintering) population of the British Antarctic bases are:
Halley IV—20; Halley V—10; Rothera—15; Faraday—10; Signy—15.
In addition, there are three people on the sub-Antarctic Bird island, South Georgia.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy in respect of waste disposal from the five operating British bases in Antarctica; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Rumbold[holding answer 3 May 1990]: I have been asked to reply.
The British Antarctic survey (BAS) has always maintained stringent controls on safeguarding the Antarctic environment in the vicinity of its bases and elsewhere. These controls are currently being updated as part of BAS's current environmental management strategy and in line with recommendation XV-3 from the XVth meeting of the Antarctic treaty consultative parties, held in Paris in October 1989.
From the 1989–90 season, all new waste materials, with the exception of human waste, are being brought out of the Antarctic and as much material from earlier activities is being removed as carrying capacity allows. The British Antarctic survey has appointed an environmental officer to co-ordinate the introduction of new procedures of waste management and improve environmental management further. He will take up his appointment in June 1990.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the programme to remove the United Kingdom abandoned Antarctic bases is expected to be completed, pursuant to recommendation XV-2 as agreed at the meeting of the Antarctic treaty parties in Paris in October.
§ Mrs. Rumbold[holding answer 3 May 1990]: I have been asked to reply.
Following the 1989 autumn public expenditure statement, funding was made available to assist the British Antarctic survey to remove surplus material and stored waste from these sites. This will be achieved as fast as the limitations of the Antarctic climate and ship time and capacity allow.
As part of its current environment management policy, the British Antarctic survey is commencing a detailed review of all unused British sites to consider whether they should be maintained as emergency refuges, removed or, in a limited number of cases, maintained as historic monuments.