§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 November,Official Report, column 278, if he will specify the seal and whale species for which the Norwegian Government are requesting exemptions from the European Council habitats directive.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Norwegian Government have asked for exemptions from the European Community's habitats directive in respect of grey, harbour, harp, hooded and ring seals; and minke, fin and killer whales.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to resist any attempt by the Norwegian Government to secure exemptions from the EC habitats directive in respect of seals and whales.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe oppose the commercial hunting of whales and support the listing of seal species in the annexes of the EC Habitats Directive. Norway's requests for exemptions from the directive are, however, a matter for the Community as a whole. We shall consult with other member states in preparing the Community's response.