§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken following the seizure in Oxfordshire of convention on international trade in endangered species appendix 1 listed timber in May 1992.
§ Mr. MacleanThis is a matter for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, who are primarily responsible for the enforcement of CITES controls in the United Kingdom. I understand that an extensive investigation was carried out by their officers, but insufficient evidence was discovered to support a prosecution. Customs action has therefore been confined to the seizure of the timber.