TNAG-1953-FCO40-2782-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 114

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

28

151/1

From The Minister of State

HKCISI

Dea, M. Banks,

при

15 February 1989

R414/2

Miss Mason

Mr Foray N1612

Mr Mord

Msenger /10/2

Thank you for your letter of 2 February, addressed to Tim Eggar, about Hong Kong and rhino horn. I am replying as Minister with special responsibility for Hong Kong.

I have drawn to the attention of the Hong Kong authorities your concern about the delay in the introduction of legislation to ban the sale in Hong Kong of medicinal products containing or claiming to contain rhino horn. The position is that a draft Bill, containing inter alia provisions to ban the internal sale of such products is being prepared and the authorities are aiming to introduce it during the present session.

The Hong Kong authorities remain committed to the ban of all forms of trade in rhino horn and are determined to close this remaining loophole. It has unfortunately taken them a little longer than anticipated to prepare the necessary legislation. But we have urged them to give appropriate priority to this.

You Plenare

1

Tony Banks Esq MP House of Commons LONDON

SW1A OAA

THE LORD GLENARTHUR