Recommendation
2.
I recommend that:
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(a)
the Secretary of State should write to Cabinet colleagues
in terms of the draft at Annex A;
(b) an inspired PQ on the lines of the draft at Annex B should
be tabled for written answer as soon as possible; and
(c) the standard reply to MPs and members of the public should
be revised on the lines of the draft at Annex C.
MAED agree.
Background
AB 3.
Mr Peirce's commissioning minutes of 5 and 12 March are
attached.
Progress with legislation
4. The Hong Kong Government are making good progress with their
draft legislation. It was presented to ExCo on 20 March and is due
to have its first reading in LegCo on 4 April. It should be
possible to enact legislation by early May. The Hong Kong
Government do not expect any serious opposition to the Bill.
decision to accede to Hong Kong's request to enter the Reservation
should make the task of getting LegCo to endorse the necessary
legislation much easier.
Licensing and Monitoring Arrangements
Our
5. The Hong Kong Government have taken various measures to deter
illegal trading and to enhance controls over existing stocks, including the introduction of a statutory requirement for possession licenses for all ivory over 5 kilogrammes with effect from 12
January.
Hong Kong's licensing and monitoring measures are amongst
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