§ 16. Dr. SpinkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement about the latest developments at the International Whaling Commission.
§ Mr. JackThe satisfactory outcome of the latest IWC meeting in Mexico, including the establishment of the southern ocean whale sanctuary, is detailed in my reply of 15 June, c.575–77.
§ 19. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the conflicting evidence presented at the international whaling conference in Mexico of the number of blue whales(a) in the northern hemisphere and (b) in the southern hemisphere; and what action she is taking to urge the international community to protect the species.
§ Mr. JackI am not aware of any conflicting evidence on the current number of blue whales which was presented to this year's IWC. Abundance estimate of whales are primarily based on sighting surveys, and surveys are in hand to provide revised estimates of blue whale numbers throughout their range. Blue whales remain fully protected.