HC Deb 24 February 1942 vol 378 c18
4. Mr. Radford (for Mr. Hewlett)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the possibility of some notification being sent to the would-be recipients of unsolicited gift parcels from abroad that are seized on arrival in this country; and what happens to the contents of such parcels?

Mr. Dalton

A notification is sent to the addressee whenever a gift parcel is detained under the import regulations. Parcels which are seized are handed over to an approved charitable organisation unless they contain perishables, when they are sold forthwith to prevent wastage.