§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will offer the services of British combat 857W troops to the Governments of Kenya and Zimbabwe to assist in the campaign against the poaching of rhino; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo. Such operations would not be appropriate tasks for the armed forces. The Government have, however, provided other forms of assistance to African Governments in their attempts to halt the illegal trade in endangered species, including staff and equipment to be used by wildlife departments. In addition, the United Kingdom is a party to the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, and has been in the forefront of those calling for even stricter controls on such trade.