§ 37. Mr. J. HUDSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce has made further complaint of the delay which traders are compelled to suffer as a result of the present Customs arrangements; that a case was submitted to the secretary of the Customs House on 21st June which showed that an Italian order for British goods was compelled to wait upon the passage through the British Customs for samples which, though despatched from Milan on 29th April, had not reached their postal destination in England on 7th Jane; and whether he can provide any remedy?
§ Mr. McNEILLA complaint as to delay in the delivery of goods was received by the Customs Department on the 22nd June from the Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce, who have been invited to furnish particulars which will enable the importation to be traced. On the receipt of this information, inquiries will be made forthwith, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the first occasion on which goods have been delayed to a considerable extent owing to the action of the Customs authorities, and that British traders are losing orders on account of samples not being received by them?
§ Mr. McNEILLAs to the last part of the hon. Member's question, I doubt very much whether that is accurate. No doubt, there have been cases of delay, but I think they have been few and far between, and are becoming more rare than they were.