§ 15. Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that packing cases consigned to addresses in Ireland, and described as containing electrical machinery, were recently detained and opened by Belfast Customs authorities, on the suspicion that their contents had been misdescribed; and whether a Customs authority would be equally entitled to seize and open a keg consigned to a private address and described as containing butter on the suspicion that the contents were in fact margarine?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Customs authorities have statutory power to examine any goods landed from any ship at any place in the United Kingdom. I cannot express an opinion whether liability to forfeiture would be incurred in a hypothetical case.
§ Mr. NEWMANThese goods were sent to Belfast from an address in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not an interrogatory statement.
§ 22. Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a case of firearms consigned to Mr. Benjamin Houghton, an ironmonger in the city of Cork, has been recently detained by the local Inland Revenue authorities; 24 and whether he will state the reason for their detention?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI will make inquiry in this matter if the hon. Member will furnish me with such particulars as will enable me to identify the case in question.