§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the purpose of the meeting held in London on or around 11 October between the British Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission and other commissioners; which countries were represented; and what was discussed.
§ Mr. JackThe United Kingdom Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission held talks in London on 11 October with colleagues from Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United States of America. These were informal, and concentrated on the forthcoming plans of the IWC to hold an intersessional meeting next February on the establishment of a southern ocean sanctuary, in preparation for decisions at the 46th annual meeting of the commission.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information the International Whaling Commission has regarding the export of whale meat from Norway to Japan; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe International Whaling Commission has no information on the commercial export of whale meat from Norway to Japan. However, I understand there has been a recent attempt to smuggle whale meat out of Norway which was discovered by the Norwegian authorities. Our embassy in Oslo confirms that this matter is currently under police investigation and we await reports from the Norwegian Government. The Government have made their views crystal clear on Norway's decision to resume commercial whaling activity and to proceed with their lethal scientific programme. We have pressed the Norwegian Government at the highest levels to reconsider their position and will continue to do so. Nobody should doubt that this is a matter of considerable concern to the Government.