13. Mr. DENNISSasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that soldiers stationed in India are required to pay Customs duties on small quantities of dutiable goods sent to them by friends as comforts; and whether he 2374 will ask the Government of India to remit the Customs duties on small quantities of comforts sent to them?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTS (Comptroller of the Household)I have ascertained from the Government of India that they now exempt from Customs duty all articles imported by post for Territorials and Garrison regiments and have sanctioned numerous concessions in respect of individual consignments from the Red Cross and similar associations.
§ Mr. PETOWill he say how long these Regulations have been in force, and what steps have been taken to make them generally known?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI am afraid that I cannot say when these changes were made, but the Secretary of State for India no doubt will be able to inform the hon. Member.
§ Sir J. JARDINEMay I ask if the exemption will apply to the British and Indian troops in Mesopotamia?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI think that question had better be put down.