§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the number of licences issued by the Department of the Environment to import the kingfisher species, Halcyon smyrnensis, in each of the past five years, and whether they will list the total number of skins of the kingfisher species, Halcyon smyrnensis, imported in each of the past five years and the countries from which the imports were made.
§ The Earl of AvonSince the species first became subject to import licensing in October 1976, only three licences have been issued forHalcyon smyrnensis; two in 1978 and one in 1980.
In 1978 2,000 skins were licensed for import and in 1980 a further 2,000 skins were licensed for import—all from China.