§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures the United Kingdom will table at the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission in respect of the preservation of whale species. [53617]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 30 July 1998]: At the meeting of the Consultative Forum on Whaling on 15 July, which I chaired, possible issues that the United Kingdom might raise at the next annual meeting of the IWC in June 1999, were discussed. The Forum agreed to give further consideration to the matter at its next meeting in December, and I look forward to receiving its advice.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the(a) promotion and (b) the implementation to date of a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic. [53618]
734W
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 30 July 1998]: At the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission, which took place in Oman from 16 to 21 June, Brazil indicated that it was considering proposing a whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic. The United Kingdom made clear its support in principle for this idea. However, Brazil did not put forward a formal proposal for such a sanctuary; I understand that the Brazilian delegation felt that more discussion with the range states was needed.