§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what information he has of CITES-listed hard corals from the Philippines that have been seized since 1985 with the dates and grounds for seizures:
(2) if he will give details of the eight seizures of coral made since 29 August 1985.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 10 January 1989]: Eight seizures made by Customs since 1985 together comprise 15 black coral necklaces, two pieces of branch coral, four pieces of brain coral, 94 pieces of which the type is not recorded centrally and two seizures of an unspecified amount and type.
680WThree further seizures have been recorded since I wrote to the hon. Member in July 1988. These comprise four black coral necklaces, a pair of black coral earrings and two pieces of which the type is not recorded.
The country of origin of such goods is not always ascertainable or reported; in none of the 11 cases referred to above is the origin known to be the Philippines. All seizures were made under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, the goods having been imported in contravention of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3626/82, as amended by Commission Regulation (EEC) 2384/85.