To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all seizures of ivory made by Her Majesty's Customs between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 1997, giving date, quantity, type, whether whole or pieces of raw tusk, semi-worked or worked ivory, country of origin and intended country of destination for each seizure. [8166]

[holding answer 14 July 1997]: The records maintained by HM Customs and Excise of finalised ivory seizures do not include all the details requested, but I am able to supply the following information for the period 1 January 1996 to 31 March 1997, which are the latest figures available. With one exception, an export to Japan, the seizures were made at the time of importation into the United Kingdom, the presumed country of destination.The description "carving" embraces a miscellany of worked ivory wares such as bracelets, statuettes, animal figurines and other ornaments.