§ 51. Colonel LOCKWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on or about this date a ship is expected to reach England having on board two elephants, one large pigtail ape, one tiger, 400 monkeys (some extra size), five pythons, and 100 Indian shamar; that at a later date a consignment is expected of thirty-one pythons (10 feet to 20 feet), one tiger, eight pandas (very rare), 220 monkeys, and so forth; that a further consignment is expected later of sea-lions from San Francisco, and a zebra from South Africa; whether these imports will be placed on the prohibited list; and who is the official responsible for having allowed these consignments to be shipped to this country at the present time?
Mr. ROBERTSMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Prior to seeing the question I had no knowledge of the shipments referred to. I will consider the advisability of prohibiting the importation of wild animals for show purposes. Apart from such prohibition no official sanction is required for the shipment of a particular consignment on a vessel whose general employment has been licensed.
§ Colonel LOCKWOODMay I ask if the serpents come from the professed site of the Garden of Eden in Mesopotamia?
§ Mr. W. THORNEAre they going to be put on proper rations?