§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure continuance of the International Whaling Commission's indefinite moratorium on whaling by all signatory states.
§ Mr. GummerI have taken a strong stand, both as Minister of State and Minister, on the importance of conserving whale stocks and I have repeatedly stated my determination that no whale stock should again be over-exploited by man.
We will not even contemplate the lifting of the moratorium on commercial whaling unless and until it is 45W clear that whale stocks are at healthy levels, a satisfactory and robust management procedure is in place and the methods used to take whales are humane. We shall continue to press our view strongly at the forthcoming meeting of the International Whaling Commission. These conditions have clearly not been met.