§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his present policy towards ratification of the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities; if he will consider supporting the Australian initiative calling for a new all-embracing environmental convention; annd if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesMy hon. Friend will have received a copy of my letter which has been sent to all Members and which encloses a copy of our policy paper "Britain in Antarctica". This paper sets out our position on all issues concerning Antarctica including the convention on the regulation of Antarctic mineral resource activities (CRAMRA). The United Kingdom, along with 18 out of 38 member states, has signed CRAMRA, but there is no set timetable for ratification.
We remain committed to the protection of the Antarctic environment and we look forward to discussion of all proposals to that end at the meeting of Antarctic treaty consultative parties in November. Along with a number of other member states, we are proposing an environmental protocol to the existing Antarctic treaty which will provide comprehensive measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and for which we believe there is widespread support.