§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action the Government intend to take to discourage the resumption of commercial whaling by Iceland; and if she will make a statement. [93067]
§ Mr. MorleyWe have written to the US Government, in its capacity as depositary for the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), to object formally to Iceland rejoining the International Whaling Commission with a reservation to the moratorium on commercial whaling. A copy of this letter has also been sent to all IWC members.
The Government of Iceland have undertaken, while submitting its Instrument of Adherence to the ICRW, not to resume commercial whaling before 2006 at the earliest.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she intends to take to persuade Norway to desist from catching whales; and if she will make a statement. [93069]
§ Mr. MorleyThe UK Government takes every opportunity, both within the International Whaling Commission and in other relevant fora, to express its opposition to Norwegian whaling and to persuade Norway to cease its whaling activities.