§ 55. Mr. KILEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the complaint made to the secretary of the Board of Customs and Excise in London by Messrs. Higginbotham, of Manchester, concerning the detention of 11 cases of white sugar of lead, for which the forms and duty had been duly tendered to the Department on the 16th March; that delivery of the cases had been withheld on the ground that the invoice from the suppliers in London is not considered by the Department sufficient, and that the Department demand the production of the invoice from the manufacturers in Germany, which invoice Messrs. Higginbotham say they are unable to obtain as the suppliers refuse to give away their 2023 trade secrets; and that this procedure is not in force at either Liverpool or Hull; and, in order to avoid further expense for breaking-in and breaking-out charges, rent, and demurrage, will he give instructions for the goods in question to be released forthwith and also instruct the staff concerned that they are not unreasonably to withhold clearance of goods except in cases in which they have evidence of fraud or attempted fraud?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am informed that the complaint referred to was only received by the Board of Customs and Excise, on the 30th ultimo, and that inquiry is being made into the matter. I will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course