Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Friday, 6 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 January 2006. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Norway (Whaling)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Norwegian Government regarding cleaning up of Norwegian former whaling stations in South Georgia.

Answer: In April 2003 the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands visited Norway to discuss this matter with the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment and the Directorate for Cultural Heritage. There have been a number of discussions since. Norway has not been involved in environmental clean-up work on South Georgia, but the Ministry of the Environment signalled last year its intention to contribute to projects for preserving the cultural heritage of its whaling activities on the Island. As a contribution to this work, last June the Norwegian County of Vestfold pledged £50,000.

Secondary information