TNAG-0634-FCO40-782-Violation-of-legislation-for-protection-of-endangered-specie-1977 — Page 37

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CONFIDENTIAL

3.

I believe that in similar legislation in Britain there is likewise no overall Authority but I would be grateful for your confirmation on this point.

As in the U.K., we have a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals but Society officers have to have the support of an enforcement officer as above before any arrests, seizures, etc., can take place. Normally such duties devolve upon the Police whilst it is usually a Government Veterinarian who gives the order for destruction of animals found to be severely injured and to obviate on-going cruelty.

I have suggested to the Environment Branch that perhaps we might have another look at our administrative arrangements related to this Ordinance to more precisely define the various responsibilities of Government departments in physical terms, that is rather than legal. I will let you know if anything comes of this.

Miss Camille Tsu

No doubt you will be interested in the most recent developments in this field, namely, that she was written to on the 30th March and informed that H.E. considered that this office had taken appropriate measures in respect of the Shing Lee Hong and did not consider it necessary to issue any directives. This of course relates to the trade in endangered species and our punitive action taken to bring this firm into line in terms of their animal traders' licence. They have since complied with our directives and have been licensed after a severe warning and subject to regular, at least monthly, checks by Inspectors. Concerning the cruelty aspects of Miss Tsu's affidavit, the Legal Department has reconsidered this matter and I have been recently informed that instructions have been given to the Police to undertake a prosecution for cruelty on the basis of Miss Tsu's affidavit. Again I will keep you informed of the

outcome.

Finally, and by no means least, we have (both this office and the Home Affairs and Information Branch) been keeping the Hong Kong Office, London, informed on this subject. I think that they are reasonably up to date but will pursue this further with Barry Wiggham to whom this letter is copied. The officer in the Hong Kong Government Office responsible for these affairs is Ron Boxall who has discussed the issues involved on several occasions with both my Deputy and myself.

I hope that once again this somewhat long and tedious letter will be of some assistance to you.

Please do not hesitate to write should you require more specific information. You will also be interested to note that I expect to be in the UK from early August to mid-September and that although my home is in Northumberland, I will undoubtedly be visiting London at some stage and could be available for discussions should you wish.

With kindest regards

you

as ever,

(E. Nichols)

T.J. David, Esq.,

Hong Kong Department,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, SW1A 2AH, England.

cc Mr. Wiggham, HA&I

Mr. B. Johnson, Environment

Branch.