Written question asked by Peter Bottomley (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 June 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 July 2001. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 5 July 2001 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when and how the Government has opposed Norwegian whaling (a) inside and (b) outside the International Whaling Commission; how the Government has sought to get the Norwegian Government to curtail whaling activities; and whether Norway is permitted to survey minke whale populations in United Kingdom waters.

Answer: Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when and how the Government have opposed Norwegian whaling (a) inside and (b) outside the International Whaling Commission; how the Government have sought to get the Norwegian Government to curtail whaling activities; and whether Norway is permitted to survey minke whale populations in United Kingdom waters. [2078] Mr. Morley: I have been asked to reply. The UK Government take every appropriate opportunity, both within the International Whaling Commission and in other relevant forums, to express their opposition to Norwegian whaling and to persuade Norway to cease its whaling activities. After careful consideration the Government have refused Norway's recent application to survey minke whale populations in UK waters as we are not convinced that it is in the best interests of whale conservation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2078; 371 c258W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Fisheries Nature conservation Norway International Whaling Commission Whales
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk