Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 March 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 1 March 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has held with the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat concerning (a) increased surface level transport activities in Antarctica and (b) the construction of a seasonal road to the South Pole; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat concerning (a) increased surface level transport activities in Antarctica and (b) the construction of a seasonal road to the South Pole; and if he will make a statement. [157707] Mr. Rammell: The UK has not had any discussions with the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat because, although agreement has been reached on the establishment of such a secretariat in Argentina, it has not yet commenced operations. It is, however, hoped that it will be possible for it to do so on a provisional basis during this year. The United States of America has developed a Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) on the "Development and Implementation of Surface Traverse Capabilities in Antarctica", which is available on the Internet at http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/ treaty/cees.htm. This proposes that an ice-road be developed between McMurdo Station and Amundsen- Scott South Pole Station to supplement the existing air- support for the re-supply of facilities at the South Pole. The CEE will be examined by the Antarctic Treaty's Committee on Environmental Protection, which will then provide advice to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, at its meeting in Cape Town in May 2004.

Secondary information