HL Deb 10 March 1997 vol 579 c12WA
Lord Moran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the Earl Ferrers' reply of 20 February (H.L. Deb., col. WA 62),whether, if they conclude in due course that basking sharks are a vulnerable or endangered species and decide to give them protection in British territorial waters, they will then press the EU to amend or replace the EU/Norway agreement so that basking sharks can be given protection in member states' waters outside territorial waters.

Earl Ferrers

I refer to the reply which I gave on 20 February 1997 (H.L. Deb., col.WA 62). It will not be possible to assess the status of the basking shark in United Kingdom waters, or the level of protection which the species may merit, until the full range of scientific evidence has emerged from the public consultation exercise into the third quinquennial review of Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which is at present under way.