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The Grindadrap Festival in the Faroe Islands

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23.09.12

8 Deputy L.J. Farnham of St. Mary , St. Ouen and St. Peter of the Chief Minister

regarding the Grindadrap Festival in the Faroe Islands (OQ.165/2023)

Following States approval of P.35/2023, which was the condemnation of the brutal slaughter of dolphins and whales by the Faroe Islands, will the Chief Minister confirm that she has communicated the views of the Assembly to both the United Kingdom Government and the Faroe Islands Government, and will she advise Members whether either Government has responded, and commit to sharing any relevant correspondence with States Members?

Deputy K.L. Moore (The Chief Minister):

I thank the Deputy for the question. I wrote to the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands Government on 29th June 2023 in line with the request that was made in P.35 and enclosed a copy of the agreed proposition. The letter and the wording of the proposition was shared with the Ministry of Justice and forwarded to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, as is protocol, in order that they were made aware of the views of the States Assembly. Both the Faroe Islands Government and the U.K. (United Kingdom) Government confirmed receipt of that correspondence, and I am told that today we have received a response from the Faroe Islands Government. The Deputy will know it is government policy not to share Government to Government correspondence.

5.8.1 Deputy L.J. Farnham :

Can I thank the Chief Minister for her answer? I understand government policy on sharing intergovernmental correspondence. On this occasion, she was acting upon a request of the Assembly, on Assembly business, so I think perhaps she could consider sharing the correspondence with the Assembly and would ask her to give that consideration, please.

Deputy K.L. Moore :

I have to say, I have not yet myself read the response, but it is not diplomatic protocol to share or publish Government to Government communications, as I have said, but indeed, of course, I will give consideration to the Deputy ’s request.