§ 57. Mr. HARRISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for drawbacks have been lodged in London for goods to be exported containing silk or artificial silk since the 1st January to the latest date available?
§ Mr. R. McNEILLThe number of claims to drawback lodged in the four Customs and Excise London collections dealing with drawbacks on silk and artificial silk goods amounted to 18,878 from 1st January to 6th March inclusive. I would explain that the areas of these collections extend far beyond the boundaries of the administrative county of London, though the bulk of the drawback claims in question were made by traders resident therein. The hon. Member will realise that the collection of information of this kind imposes a 592 great deal of extra work on the Revenue officials in the areas concerned, and though I have been able to meet his request in this instance, the general position remains as stated in the reply given to him by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in answer to a similar question on the 3rd December last.
§ Mr. HARRISDo not these 18,000 claims show that a lot of labour is imposed on the traders in London, making it more difficult for them to carry on their business?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a comment on the legislation of last year.