§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding Her Majesty's Government's response to the outcome of the second meeting of the CITES African elephant working group held in Botswana from 4 to 8 July.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 27 July 1989]: The Government support the group's decision to seek a consensus of the African range states on a proposal to be made at the next conference.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place with the Hong Kong authorities in respect of CITES conference resolution 5.11; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 27 July 1989]: I refer the hon. Member to my recent answer—Official Report, Volume 156, column 477. Our discussions are continuing and will cover the full implications of appendix I listing.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to commission studies into the feasibility of transferring African elephants from countries with a surplus to those where elephants are endangered.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 27 July 1989]: We would consider assisting with such research only if asked to do so by the African countries concerned. We have received no such requests.