HC Deb 09 June 1891 vol 354 cc10-1
MR. PICTON (Leicester)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain to the House the exact conditions under which, since the abolition of the Plate Duties, gold and silver plate in the possession of travellers entering the United Kingdom is now admitted into this country; why travellers have to declare such wares in their possession; whether Her Majesty's Customs are legally entitled to require such declaration; and what is the practice regarding the admission of plate of "oriental design," under Clause 4 of "The Revenue Act, 1884," which exempts such wares from the compulsory obligation of assay?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

Although the Plate Duty has been repealed, the law which requires plate imported into the British Isles to be assayed, stamped, and marked is still in force. In the case of the baggage of ordinary passengers, should any plate liable to assay be declared or discovered in their possession, they are required to make a declaration that it is for private use, and it is delivered to them when such declaration has been made. Should the passenger be unable to make such a declaration, and should the plate be of a description liable to assay, it would have to be assayed, stamped, and marked. There is no penalty for not declaring plate intended for private use and contained in the baggage of an ordinary passenger, but the introduction of merchandise in private baggage is forbidden, and plate which is so introduced without declaration is liable to be confiscated. Section 66 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, gives power to the Commissioners of Customs to make regulations under which passengers' baggage may be landed and delivered. The provisions of Section 4 of the Revenue Act, 1884, as amended by the Act 53 Vict., c. 8, schedule—, namely, that Articles of foreign plate which in the opinion of the Commissioners of Customs maybe properly described as hand-chased, inlaid, bronzed, or filigree work of Oriental pattern shall be exempted from assay in the United Kingdom"— are strictly observed.

MR. PICTON

Does the decision as to which category the articles fall within rest with the Commissioners of Customs or with inferior officers?

MR. GOSCHEN

These articles stand in precisely the same category as all other goods.