§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what research purpose the 500 harp seals and the 500 fully grown females referred to in the letter referred to in his answer, 10 June,Official Report, column 40, were taken. [5433]
§ Dr. Liam FoxWhen the issue of seal research was raised at senior official level with the Russian authorities in September, they said that details of these activities would not be available until November.
The British embassy in Moscow wrote to the Russian authorities on 4 November to find out if the information is now ready. It followed this up on several occasions and was advised on 20 November that the information is not yet available.
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often the British embassy in Moscow has recently contacted the Russian authorities about the seal cull in the White sea; when was the last time the British embassy was contacted; and if he will make a statement. [5340]
§ Dr. FoxThe issue of seal culling and the use of seals for research was raised at senior official level with the Russian authorities in September. The British embassy has followed up these discussions on several occasions since then. Officials were advised that details fo research activities would be available in November. The embassy was last contacted by the Russian authorities on 20 November when it was advised that the information was not yet available.