HC Deb 22 December 1915 vol 77 cc466-7
53. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that parcels of tobacco sent to the' front to soldiers who have been invalided home are returned to the senders, together with a claim for the payment of Customs Duties, which sometimes amount to a considerable sum; and whether, before returning such parcels, he can take steps to ascertain by means of a reply postcard whether the senders are willing to have the parcels distributed among other soldiers?

Mr. TENNANT

The regular procedure as regards the comparatively few parcels of tobacco returned from the front to senders is to inquire of them before the parcel is sent on whether they wish to pay the duty or abandon the goods. There is an arrangement in many battalions at the front to share in common parcels of tobacco addressed to men who have lost their lives or who have been sent home.

Mr. HOGGE

If the parcels are so few, cannot the Government see their way to omit the duty altogether?

Mr. TENNANT

I should be glad, but I am afraid I cannot answer. The question had better be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

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