§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether gin traps, already unlawful for use in this country, are still being manufactured here for export and, if so, to which countries and for what purpose.
§ Lord JACQUESThe export of gin traps is too small to be recorded separately in the trade statistics. Small numbers are believed to have been manufactured and exported, mainly to West Africa, where they are presumably used to trap pests.
In view of the noble Lord's previous interest in this matter, we have recently examined whether gin traps should be brought under export control. We have concluded that they should not. I will write to the noble Lord and place copies of my letter in the Library.