HC Deb 17 May 1990 vol 172 cc513-4W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his intention to arrange any meetings with members of the Antarctic treaty before the special convening of all the Antarctic treaty parties in November.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have no present plans to arrange formal meetings with other Antarctic treaty consultative parties before November.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government intend to reconsider their position in the light of the decision by the New Zealand Government not to ratify the convention on the regulation of antarctic mineral resource activities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

Our understanding is that the New Zealand Government have not decided against ratifying CRAMRA. Rather they have "set aside" the convention for the time being.

Our position on CRAMRA is unchanged.