§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards ratification of the Antarctic Environmental Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [100806]
§ Mr. HainThe Environmental Protocol to the Antartic Treaty and its Annex I to IV entered into force on 14 January 1998. The United Kingdom's instrument400W of ratification of the Protocol was deposited on 25 April 1995. To give effect to the Protocol in UK law, the various Sections of the Antartic Act (1994) were brought into force between 1 November 1995 and 14 January 1998.
The fifth Annex to the Protocol, dealing with the Antartic protected areas system, is anticipated to enter into force in 2000, following approval by four remaining Antartic Treaty Parties. The UK approved V Annex in May 1996.