§ Q4. Dr. Gilbertasked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Minister with special responsibility for preventing the import unto the United Kingdom of all products arising from the slaughter of endangered species of wild life.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Import control of animal products in the interests of conservation is a matter involving the powers and responsibilities of a number of my right hon. Friends, all of whom work closely together.
§ Dr. GilbertAlthough the Government have recently made a welcome step forward, they seem to be dragging their feet in comparison with certain other countries. Should we not be giving a lead, since this idea is supported on both sides of the House? Will the Prime Minister consider making it clear that rich and insensitive women who wear 226 coats made from leopard skins will not be welcome at Government functions in future?
§ The Prime MinisterI am against all forms of discrimination, especially at any hospitality which I offer. The hon. Gentleman is not justified in saying that the Government are dragging their feet. We have taken the action which the hon. Gentleman has acknowledged, and we believe that the next step should be an international convention, as proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, which we strongly support. I think what he and most hon. and right hon. Members of the House would like to see is an international convention which covers these matters as widely as possible.