§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, his reason for putting the questions of which he had given notice, was, that he had been credibly informed that several articles which had been sent to the Crystal Palace had not only been sold, but removed from the building; and he was also informed by the gentlemen in charge of the place for the Customs, that the catalogues and accounts were so imperfect in themselves, that they had the greatest difficulty in identifying the several articles. The object of his questions was, therefore, to ascertain whether the officers of Customs had taken an account of those articles in the Exhibition which were subject to duty, so that the revenue might be no loser in the matter. He would put the questions as he had placed them on the paper of the House:—
1368 1. Whether all the articles imported from abroad, and now exhibited in Hyde Park, have been entered regularly, specially, or in any manner, at the Custom House? 2. Whether an account of these articles, giving the description, quantities, and official or assessed value of them, can now be given? 3. Whether arrangements, and, if so, what arrangements, have been made for taking an account of any of these articles which may be sold in this country, as distinguished from those which may be re-shipped, so as to secure the revenue, and provide for the correct entry of all such articles in the official accounts for the year?
MR. CORNEWALL LEWISsaid, he had communicated with the Board of Customs on the subject of the hon. Gentleman's questions, but he had not yet received all the detailed information which he expected. He was, however, able to give an answer generally that the Exhibition building was a bonded warehouse; that it was subjected to the same regulations as any other bonded warehouse; and he believed that regular accounts had been taken of all the goods in that building which were subject to duty; and that they could not be removed without the permission of the Customs, obtained in the regular manner. There had been certain cases where a very few applications had been made to the Treasury for special permission to remove particular articles from the building. The articles to which he referred were some of the American revolver-pistols; and he believed they were permitted to be taken out for the officers of the regiment now under orders to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope. But it would be borne in mind that arms were prohibited, not goods subjected to duty, and that therefore no loss to the revenue could accrue in this instance.
§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, this was the second time he had given notice of the question, and the second time he had received no answer. It referred to a mere matter of account, and he could see no difficulty in a precise reply. He should, therefore, renew the question on Friday.
§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, when first he put the question, the hon. Member stated that he had no precise information on the subject to which it referred, but that he would make inquiry into it. He (Mr. 1369 Newdegate) now asked the question, and the hon. Member said, he only believed the statements he made were correct. What he (Mr. Newdegate) wanted to know was the facts, and he should therefore, renew his question on Friday.
MR. CORNEWALL LEWISsaid, he had communicated with Sir Thomas Fremantle, the Chairman of the Board of Customs, and the answer he had received was the general statement he had now made to the House; but he knew of no facts such as those alluded to by the hon. Member. With regard to the accounts of the articles in the Exhibition, the building, as he had already stated, was a bonded warehouse, and the accounts were kept as usual in bonded warehouses, on the part of the Customs.