§ Sir R. Russellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will prohibit the import of live tortoises into this country, in view of the numbers being imported and the unsuitable climatic conditions in Great Britain which result in a very high mortality rate.
§ Mr. NobleSuch a ban would not be justified on evidence currently available. Restrictions limiting imports of common species of tortoise only to the period 1st April-30th June each year were introduced earlier this year in the interests of controlling numbers and of facilitating acclimatisation, which is important to the survival of the animals. The full effects of this measure cannot yet be assessed.