12. To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Japan on whaling in the Southern ocean. (178867)

On 8 January, I met the deputy ambassador from Japan to express the United Kingdom's outrage and to urge Japan to end its slaughter of whales. On 21 December, the UK, along with 29 other countries, also took part in a démarche calling on the Japanese to cease all their lethal scientific research on whales.

23. To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Japanese Government on whaling. (178879)

There have been no recent discussions between DEFRA Ministers and Japanese Ministers on this issue. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written 18 countries encouraging them to join for the International Whaling Commission for the greater protection of whales.