§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has happened to the 58.9 kg. of ivory tusks seized by the Hong Kong authorities as detailed in his reply of 27 July,Official Report, column 861, and what information he has on the second case referred to therein.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 18 October 1989]: The 58.9 kg. of ivory tusks were confiscated and retained in safe custody by the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, the CITES management authority in Hong Kong. In the second case, in accordance with legal advice, no prosecution was initiated, but the owner voluntarily surrendered the 15 kg. into the custody of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.