TNAG-2132-FCO40-3047-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 81

Written Answers

5 JUNE 1990

value-for-money savings in 1988-89 of over £2 million. Total VFM savings have been calculated only from 198 onwards. Figures for earlier years are not readily availa and could be provided only at disproportionate

cost.

In the ODA, value-for-money savings in departmental running costs and value-for-money achieved on aid- financed goods and services are set out in the annual public expenditure White Paper. On services, savings achieved were £3.5 million in 1986-87; £5.7 million in 1987-88 and £8-41 million in 1988-89. Figures for earlier years are not readily available.

Mr. Rooker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms exist in his Department for identifying and tracking value-for-money savings in its operations.

Mr. Sainsbury: In the diplomatic wing of the FCO, targets for value-for-money savings are set each year by budget-holding departments at home and posts overseas. The ODA also sets such targets. Progress towards meeting targets is reviewed through the year. Inspectors and internal auditors also identify value-for-money savings as well as evaluating the controls established by management to secure VFM. Tables of VFM targets for the last and current financial years have been presented to Parliament in the diplomatic wing and ODA evidence on this year's public expenditure White Paper.

[Consul

Mr. Jonathon Moyle NSULAR

Star

Mr. Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 30 April. Official Report, column 402, if he will make a further statement on the investigations into the death of Mr. Jonathon Moyie.

Mr. Sainsbury: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 30 Apri. Investigations by the Chilean authorities into the death of Mr. Jonathon Moyle are continuing. British consular officers in Santiago remain in close touch with those authorities. They stand ready to assist in any way they properly can.

F. RIND

Ambassadors (Grading)

Mr. Grocon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are taken into account in determining the grading of ambassadors.

Mr. Sainsbury: In determining the grading of ambassadorial posts account is taken of the extent of British interests-political. commercial, financial and defence at stake in the country of accreditation. The nature of inter-governmental business transacted by the, head of missica, the level of demand from Whitehall Departments for policy advice and reporting and the degree of access to the leadership of the country are also important. The size of the mission and the consequential management role are further elements in the consideration of grading.

HKD

Ivory ESED

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 8 May, Official Report, columns 26-27, how much of the

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Written Answers

THESE RELATE TO PROSECUTIONS

ivory seized was (a) being exported (b) being imported and (c) neither; and what was the estimated number of elephant tusks represented by the 769-9 kg of raw ivory.

Mr. Waldegrave (holding answer 17 May 1990]: None of the ivory seized was being exported from Hong Kong; 702-5 kg were seized while in transit through Hong Kong. The remainder were import seizures. The Hong Kong authorities estimate that the 769-9 kg of raw ivory seized represented approximately 250 tusks.

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current tradeable ivory stock held in Hong Kong; and to which countries ivory has been exported since he last answered a similar question.

Mr. Waldegrave [holding answer 21 May 1990]: On 11 May 1990 the tradeable ivory stock held in Hong Kong was 353 tonnes (to the nearest tonne). In the period between 30 March 1990, when I last answered a similar question from the hon. Member, and 11 May 1990, the Hong Kong CITES management authority has been notified of the following exports:

China

South Korea Mexico

Taiwan

Saudi Arabia

Kilogrammes

2,339.7

6.6

9.8

1.9

8-8

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a list of all countries for which ivory export permits have been issued by the authorities in Hong Kong since the entering of the reservation in respect of ivory trade.

Mr. Waldegrave (holding answer 21 May 1990]: In the period since the entering of the reservation up to 19 May 1990 licences have been issued for the export of ivory to the following countries: China, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Toy

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his reply of 8 May Official Report columns 26-27, what were the countries of export of ivory seized by the Hong Kong authorities.

Mr. Waldegrave [holding answer 17 May 1990]: The countries of export of the seized ivory in question were Singapore. Canada, Taiwan, China, Thailand, India and Korea.

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any mammoth ivory has been imported into Hong Kong in the past months.

Mr. Waldegrave (holding answer 17 May 1990]: The Hong Kong Government's trade statistics do not indicate whether any mammoth ivory has been imported into Hong Kong in the past 12 months. Nor does the CITES management authority have this information since mammoth ivory is not controlled under CITES.

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