HC Deb 15 October 1990 vol 177 cc737-9W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what activities are currently banned by the Antarctic treaty; and what information he has in respect of breaches of banned practices by any of the treaty parties since 1961.

Mr. Garel-Jones

Under the Antarctic treaty the following are prohibitedany measure of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military manoeuvres, as well as the testing of any type of weapon; any nuclear explosions and the disposal there of radioactive waste material.

None of the inspections carried out in accordance with article VII of the Antarctic treaty has indicated that there have been any breaches of these provisions of the treaty.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Greenpeace concerning the 1989–90 Greenpeace Antarctic expedition to the abandoned British bases B and G and to Rothera base; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Garel-Jones

We have received from Greenpeace a copy of its report on its Antarctic expedition between September 1989 and March 1990, which included visits to the British bases mentioned.

Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what total number of representations his Department has received from hon. Members and the public regarding Antarctic conservation.

Mr. Garel-Jones

We have received more than 1,400.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the activities which are regulated by the Antarctic treaty system.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The Antarctic treaty system has adopted 186 recommendations, the agreed measures for the conservation of Antarctic flora and fauna, plus three separate conventionsThe convention for the conservation of Antarctic seals, the convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and the convention for the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities.

The specific activities which are regulated are set out in those documents, copies of which I have placed in the Library of the House. To list those activities separately would involve disproportionate cost.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what documents he has received from Wildlife Link regarding the conservation of the Antarctic; and it he will make a statement.

Mr. Garel-Jones

We have received a Wildlife Link draft report dated 18 July entitled "Comments on the various proposals for improved Antarctic environmental protection".

Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which government departments are to be represented on the delegation to the consultative meeting of Antarctic treaty parties in November.

Mr. Garel-Jones

Present intentions are that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Departments of Energy, Environment and Trade and Industry will be represented.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the agreements, conventions and recommendations agreed by the Antarctic treaty parties since 1961.

Mr. Garel-Jones

Apart from the Antarctic treaty itself, three Conventions have been concluded and form part of the Antarctic treaty system: the convention for the Conservation of Antarctic seals of 1972 (Cmnd. 7209), the convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources of 1980 (Cmnd. 8714), and the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities of 1988 (Cm. 634). In addition, in pursuance of the Antarctic treaty, the parties thereto have concluded the agreed measures for the conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora (set out in schedule 2 to the Antarctic Treaty Act 1967) as well as 186 recommendations. A list of the recommendations has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the statutes, statutory instruments and the statutory rules and orders which implement the United Kingdom's obligations arising from the Antarctic treaty and the consultative meetings of the parties to the treaty.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The relevant statutes and statutory instruments currently in force are the following:

  • Antarctic Treaty Act 1967
  • The Antarctic Treaty Order in Council 1962 (SI 1962/401)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Specially Protected Areas) Order 1968 (SI 1968/889)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Specially Protected Species) Order 1968 (SI 1968/889)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Specially Protected Area) Order 1971 (SI 1971/1236)
  • The Conservation of Antarctic Mammals and Birds (High Seas) Order 1973 (SI 1973/1755)
  • The Antarctic Treaty Act 1967 (Isle of Man) Order 1970 (SI 1970/1436)
  • The Antarctic Treaty Act 1967 (Channel Islands) Order 1974 (SI 1974/1109)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Specially Protected Areas) Order 1977 (SI 1977/1235)
  • The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (Immunities and Privileges) Order 1981 (SI 1981/1108)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Agreed Measures) Order 1988 (SI 1988/586)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Specially Protected Areas) Order 1988 (SI 1988/587)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Agreed Measures) (No. 2) Order 1988 (SI 1988/1296)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Amendment) Order 1989 (SI 1989/841)
  • The Antarctic Treaty (Contracting Parties) Order 1990 (SI 1990/989)
  • The Antarctic Treaty Act 1967 (Isle of Man) (Variation) Order 1990 (SI 1990/1198)

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