§ 31. Mr. HANNONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the inconvenience to which certain firms in Birmingham and the Midlands have been subjected by the delay on the part of the Customs Depart- 250 ment in dealing with claims for drawbacks; and if he will issue instructions to expedite the settlement of such claims in future?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am not aware that there is any general delay on the part of the Customs in dealing with drawback claims made by exporters in the district mentioned. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any instances he has in mind, inquiries will be made into the matter.
§ Mr. HANNONHave any cases been brought to the notice of the hon. Gentleman in which the delay in drawback has seriously affected the export trade, and will he receive representations from the firms affected?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAAn isolated claim, to which the hon. Gentleman probably refers, has been made, and has, I understand, been satisfactorily dealt with.