HC Deb 11 March 1991 vol 187 cc372-3W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state any conveniently available figures for the number of occasions in the past five years when Customs officers have delivered seized specimens of birds or animals to airlines for return to their country of origin.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Live creatures seized by Customs under endangered species legislation are, whenever feasible, returned to their country of origin for eventual release back into the wild. This is in accordance with one of the principles established in the Washington convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Figures are held centrally, in conveniently accessible form, only from 1989 onwards. In that time there has been one operation involving the return of birds to Turkey.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quarantine arrangements have been made in the new Stansted terminal for wild birds and other animals confiscated in accordance with the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

None. Quarantine facilities are not generally available at, ports and airports. Their absence does not impair Customs ability to enforce the controls on endangered species.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action was taken by Customs and Excise officials in relation to the unlawful concealment of goldfinches in the luggage of Mr. I. H. of Wood Green, Essex, discovered at Stansted airport on 18 September 1990.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Action was taken to seize and forfeit the birds under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.