§ 49. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with regard to the proposal to remove the office of the collector of Customs and Excise from Worcester to Newport, Monmouthshire, he will say on what grounds such a proposal is contemplated; whether he has received any protest against such a step from the corporation of Worcester; and what reply has been made?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Philip Snowden)The 208 proposal to discontinue the office of the collector of Customs and Excise at Worcester forms part of a general rearrangement of Customs and Excise collections throughout the country which is being undertaken on the grounds of economical administration. I am in-formed that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have received a protest against this proposal from the corporation of Worcester, to whom a reply has been sent to the effect that a Customs and Excise staff will remain at Worcester for the performance of all Customs and Excise work outside the collector's office, and that it is not anticipated that any inconvenience to traders or the general public will result from the proposed change.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIt is very difficult to hear the right hon. Gentleman. Do I understand that the protests that have been made have led him to make some arrangement with regard to the transferred office?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI am sorry if I did not make myself heard. The latter part of my answer was that a reply has been sent to the corporation of Worcester to the effect that a Customs and Excise staff will remain there, and it is not anticipated that any inconvenience will arise from the proposed change.