§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of Japan concerning ratification of the Antarctic treaty; and if he will make a statement. [12460]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 October 1996,Official Report, column 32–33. The Japanese Government are still considering the detailed technical aspects of the environmental protocol. We continue to correspond and to urge Japan to ratify the protocol as soon as possible.