§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will seek to impose a ban on the import of seal skins into the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. ParkinsonNo. While I understand very well the concerns of the hon. Member, there is no authoritative agreement that seals, particularly in Canada, are threatened as a species. Whether a ban on imports of skins would be consistent with our international obligations is also open to question. On the other hand, unilateral action would undoubtedly adversely affect our commercial interests and external relations without, in all probability, stopping the annual hunt of seals.