HC Deb 23 May 1990 vol 173 cc185-6W
114. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibilities in respect of the environmental protection of Antarctica.

Mr. Sainsbury

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for environmental aspects of the Antarctic treaty system. These include the agreed measures for the conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, the convention for the conservation of Antarctic seals, the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities and a large number of recommendations adopted under the Antarctic treaty.

Public body Number of appointments Full/part time Salary Renewal date
Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine 2 Part-time Nil March 1992
Imperial War Museum (Board of Trustees) 2 Part-time Nil 1991 and 1993
British Council Board 2 Part-time Nil Indefinite
Imperial College of Science and Technology (Governing Body) 1 Part-time Nil Permanent
Great Britain China Centre 1 Part-time Nil Permanent
Great Britain East Europe Centre 1 Part-time Nil Permanent
Great Britain USSR Association 1 Part-time Nil Permanent Observer Status
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission 10 Part-time Nil Various dates between October 1990 and February 1992
Universities China Committee 1 Part-time Nil Permanent
School of Oriental and African Studies (Governing Body) 3 Part-time Nil 1 August 1991, 2 August 1995

The Department of Education and Science provides funds to assist the British Antarctic Survey with waste disposal and environmental management at its existing bases, with the clean-up of abandoned sites and to safeguard the environment at Rothera point where the airstrip is under construction.

The Department of the Environment has a general responsibility for ensuring that environmental factors are given full weight.

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