§ 23. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that letters have been issued by Customs authorities demanding from exporters, under severe penalties, proof that goods which have, under permits from the War Trade Department, been consigned to the Netherlands Overseas Trust have not reached enemy destinations; and if, in view of the fact that exporters have no control over the delivery of goods consigned to the Overseas Trust and no responsibility in regard thereto, all such letters already issued will be withdrawn and the further issue of such letters prevented?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)The letters in question have been issued in pursuance of the powers conferred upon the Board of Customs and Excise by Section 5 (1) of the Customs (War Powers) Act, 1915, and I see no reason why they should be withdrawn. The Board inform me, however, that in the case of goods exported under licence specifying the Netherlands Overseas Trust as the consignee, they are content with evidence that the goods have in fact reached the Trust.