§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on progress towards a southern ocean sanctuary for whales.
§ Mr. JackAt the 45th meeting of the International Whaling Commission, held in Japan in May this year, the United Kingdom made clear its support for the concept of a whale sanctuary in the Southern ocean. A number of the IWC contracting parties argued that they needed more time to study some of the detailed aspects of the sanctuary approach, such as the definition of boundaries, matters of jurisdiction and future research plans for such a sanctuary. The Commission decided to endorse the concept of the sanctuary and agreed to work to resolve outstanding issues at a special intersessional working group with a view to taking a final decision at the 46th meeting of the66W Commission next May. The intersessional working group is to take place in Australia in February next year. The United Kingdom will attend and will play a full and positive part in the group's deliberations.