§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the approximate number and value of seal skins 693W imported into the United Kingdom over the last available 12-month period; what were the countries of origin; and if he has any intention of banning the import of such skins.
§ Mr. MeacherImports of seal skins are not separately distinguished in the United Kingdom overseas trade statistics. The following is the latest available information:
IMPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN DURING THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 1978-JANUARY 1979
Complete raw fur skins of sea lions, of fur seals or of other seals—Tariff code No. 4301 2300.
Country Number Value (£s actual cif) Canada 19,347 148,131 Norway 4,200 31,893 Federal Republic of Germany 2,487 51,509 South Africa 1,316 9,310 Soviet Union 619 13,542 Denmark 210 2,865 Iceland 27 435 Total 28,206 257,685 Fur skins, tanned or dressed, including fur skins assembled in plates, crosses and similar forms; pieces or cuttings of fur skin, tanned or dressed, including heads, paws, tails and the like not being fabricated: of sea lions, of fur seals and of other seals—Tariff code No. 4302 2300.
Country Number Value (£s actual cif) Finland 24,872 186,536 United States of America 1,648 70,085 Federal Republic of Germany 1,737 40,772 Soviet Union 2,100 30,122 Norway 610 15,436 Canada 405 12,182 United Kingdom 122 4,245 Switzerland 3,050 3,575 South Africa 70 1,418 Italy 7 454 Total 34,621 364,825 So far as banning the import of such skins is concerned, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Shaw) on 5 March.—[Vol. 963, c. 494.]