§ 54. Mr. KILEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has 2022 been drawn to a consignment of bronze powder which was detained at Tilbury Docks by His Majesty's officer of Customs on the suspicion that some constituent not normally found in bronze powder might be present and liable to key industry duty; if he is aware that there was no foundation for any such belief, and that, whilst analysis was being made of the goods in question, additional expenses were incurred by the importer; and whether he can in future arrange that, in cases in which there was ground for belief that fraud was attempted, a small quantity of the material in question should be taken for analysis and the bulk released, so as to save the delays and expenses otherwise involved?
§ Sir R. HORNEI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to his previous question on the same subject on the 15th ultimo. As was then stated, the importer obtained delivery of the goods, pending a decision as to liability, on a deposit being made to cover the possible charge to duty.
§ Mr. KILEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that after the money has been deposited very often it takes as long as three months before it is possible to get the money returned, and in the mean-time the importer is unable to dispose of the goods.
§ Sir R. HORNEI was not aware of that.