§ 71. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in September last, a large number of sailors proceeding home on leave from a squadron which had escorted a convoy from America brought on shore with them at Devonport a large quantity of sugar which they had privately purchased in Nova Scotia, some men having as much as 56 lbs.; whether the Customs authorities at Devonport refused to admit the sugar duty free and refused also to accept duty for it as the incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon, and that in consequence of this attitude many thousands of pounds of sugar were thrown on to the refuse heap; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the matter, with a view to preventing a similar waste occurring again?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe importation of sugar has, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, been prohibited for more than three years, except under licence, and sugar brought into the country without licence has, at the request of the Royal Commission on Sugar, been seized by the Customs and added to the stock available for general consumption. The destruction of the sugar referred to was the act of the sailors themselves. The Customs authorities were in no way parties to it. I understand that the Sugar Commission have since authorised the Board of Customs and Excise to waive enforcement of the prohibition in such cases.