§ Mr. NEWMANasked whether, in the event of the Irish Government refraining from altering the rate of levy on any article at present liable to Customs Duty, there will, nevertheless, be set up for statistical purposes Customs Houses in those parts of the respective countries to which there is an import or export movement of trade; and whether, in such circumstances, the personal effects and baggage of travellers will be liable to examination at any such Customs Houses as may be established?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is true that for statistical purposes investigations will be made under the Customs Acts as to the transit of dutiable articles between Great Britain and Ireland irrespective of any variation of the Imperial Customs Duties, but I do not think this is likely to involve the necessity of making an examination of the personal effects or baggage of travellers.
§ Mr. NEWMANIn the case of a commercial traveller what would be the position?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understood the question to be about the personal effects and baggage of travellers. If the articles were supposed to be articles of commerce, I have no doubt that they might be liable to investigation.