§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to her answer of 20 JuneOfficial Report, column 78, when she returned from Zimbabwe; when the articles were deposited with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; whether an import licence under CITES was applied for in respect of these items; when she decided that they should be retained by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; on what date and by what means she informed Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of her decision; if she will describe the three items of silver and ivory jewellery and state a valuation of each item; and whether she took any steps to determine the origin and the legality of the ivory contained in the ivory jewellery.
§ The Prime MinisterI returned from Africa on 2 April 1989. I deposited the articles with Her Majesty's Customs278W and Excise as soon as I was informed that the requirements for importation had not been completed. I have nothing further to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 20 June.