Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 23 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 January 2006. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Whaling (Norway)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 195W, on Norway whaling, what the estimated cost is of cleaning up old whaling stations on South Georgia; and what steps the Government is taking to encourage a greater contribution from the Norwegian Government.

Answer: The cost of cleaning up the former whaling station at Grytviken was approximately £6.7 million. This cost has been borne exclusively by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It is difficult to estimate the cost of carrying out a similar operation at Leith Harbour, Stromness and Husvik whaling stations, but it is unlikely to be less than £20 to £25 million.Although Norwegian commercial interests and personnel were heavily involved in the whaling industry in South Georgia, the Norwegian Government has never had any direct responsibility for the whaling stations on South Georgia. It has indicated that it is not in a position to make a financial contribution towards the environmental clean-up.

Secondary information