§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have for placing sanctions on Japanese vessels in connection with scientific whaling. [136803]
§ Mr. HainWe have expressed our total opposition to the Japanese Government on numerous occasions. The UK would need to discuss any proposal for trade sanctions against Japanese vessels in connection with Japan's research whaling programme with our EU partners, since external trade matters fall within the competence of the EU. In addition, there are currently no Japanese fishing vessels operating within UK domestic waters.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Government of Japan concerning their decision to expand the scientific whaling programme to the Southern Ocean Sanctuary; and if he will make a statement. [136938]
§ Mr. HainIn our numerous discussions, the Japanese Government have been left in no doubt as to our total opposition to their expanded whaling programme in the North Pacific and their continued research whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary. Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State have raised this issue with their Japanese counterparts. As Minister responsible for whaling issues, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spoke very powerfully against the Japanese decision at the last IWC meeting in Adelaide in June.