HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 cc735-6W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take the necessary steps to prohibit the consumption of live monkey brains in Hong Kong restaurants.

Mr. Mellor

The consumption of live monkey brains in Hong Kong restaurants is already prohibited. Hong Kong's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance makes acts of cruelty to animals illegal and provides powers to arrest offenders. The Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, which gives effect to CITES, controls inter alia the import and possession of endangered species including all species of monkey.

The Hong Kong Government have no evidence of the consumption of live monkey brains in Hong Kong restaurants. Any reports would be investigated vigorously.

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