§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the three elephants belonging to Chipperfields currently en route to Hong Kong are permitted to enter Hong Kong on arrival, and that appropriate arrangements are made for veterinary inspection and for their safe keeping.
§ Mr. RentonThe Hong Kong Government have informed me that the three elephants who belong to Chipperfields circus will be permitted to enter Hong Kong subject to the British Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' confirmation that they will be re-imported into the United Kingdom after their visit to Hong Kong. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have now confirmed that they would have no objection to such re-import. Arrangements will meanwhile be made for veterinary inspection and for safekeeping of the animals whilst they are in Hong Kong.