HC Deb 24 March 1926 vol 193 cc1200-1
40. Miss WILKINSON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that small silk articles which used to come from France in two days by letter post are now taking as long as 12 days to come through, although duty at the highest rate has been tendered; and whether he can make arrangements to facilitate the handling of small packages of silk goods?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)

As my right hon. Friend explained on the 9th March, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. J. Hudson), there is a standing prohibition against the importation of dutiable articles by letter post, and any goods so imported are liable to forfeiture, though in the case of the silk duties, in common with all other new duties, some latitude has been allowed in this matter. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, and will send me details, I shall be glad to have inquiry made.

Miss WILKINSON

Does not the right hon.. Gentleman think that there should be some kind of revenue office in the North to facilitate the handling of these small packages, instead of their being sent to their destination and then having to be sent back to London?

Mr. McNEILL

I shall be very glad to receive any suggestions from the hon. Lady.

Mr. MACKINDER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that statements are being made that the Customs at Dover is quite inadequate to deal with this work?

Mr. McNEILL

I cannot say what statements have been made.

Mr. HARRIS

Would it not be better to sweep away these duties altogether?

— Converted into5 per cent. War Loan, 1929–47. Approximate Amount outstanding.
£ £
5 per cent. National War Bonds, Series I … … 82,086,000 163,288,000
5 per cent. National War Bonds, Series II … … 110,619,000 122,283,000
5 per cent. National War Bonds, Series III … … 118,917,000 189,820,000
Converted into 4 per cent. War Loan, 1929–42.
4 per cent. National War Bonds, Series I … … 16,905,000 79,987,000
4 per cent. National War Bonds, Series II … … 5,284,000 37,386,000
4 per cent. National War Bonds, Series III … … 2,785,000 20,613,000