§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of the current moratorium on commercial whaling; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackThe Government's position on the current International Whaling Commission moratorium on 151W commercial whaling is clear and unambiguous. We strongly support its retention and will not even contemplate its lifting unless stocks are shown to be at healthy levels, methods used to kill whales are humane and fully effective procedures for managing whale stocks are in place which include ways of ensuring that the rules are observed and enforced.
More details of our policy on whaling were contained in the letter I sent to hon. Members on 27 April 1994.