HC Deb 16 June 1931 vol 253 cc1617-8
45. Captain BOURNE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the methods taken by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to dispose of goods confiscated for breach of Customs regulations?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)

Goods seized for contravention of the Customs Acts are, as a general rule, sold by public auction or competitive tender. Tobacco suitable for smoking is supplied for use by the inmates of certain criminal lunatic asylums, and unsmokable tobacco is supplied to national botanical gardens for fumigation purposes. Unsaleable goods and certain prohibited goods are usually destroyed.

Captain BOURNE

What steps have been taken to bring the sale of these goods to the notice of the public?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

If the hon. and gallant Member will put that question down, I will endeavour to give him an answer.

Mr. DAY

Can the hon. Gentleman say what was the amount realised last year?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Not without notice.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

How does the hon. Gentleman tell which is unsmokeable tobacco?

Mr. MUGGERIDGE

Is the duty put on to the price of the goods when they are sold by the customs authorities?