WHALING

Early day motion 95, tabled 3 December 2008 by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative). Signed by 116 members.

That this House recognises the important role played by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in protecting whales and in marine conservation; further recognises the importance of continuing with that protection and maintaining the international moratorium on commercial whaling; urges members of the IWC to resist the sustained efforts of pro-whaling countries to undermine the international moratorium; fears that continuing to hold the IWC's Small Working Group meetings behind closed doors could lead to a compromise decision which would undermine the moratorium and legitimise some form of commercial whaling; calls upon the Government to campaign for the negotiations and discussions within the IWC to be fully transparent; and further calls on Government departments to work together and pro-actively lobby more countries to join the IWC to support the international moratorium.

Signatures by party: Labour 49, Conservative 31, Liberal Democrat 29, Independent 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.