§ 58. Sir G. FOXasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the length of land frontier in Ireland between Northern Ireland and the Free State; the number of customs officers posted there to prevent smuggling; the number of motor cars they employ; and the number and quantities of smuggled articles they have detected within the last six months?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe land boundary, which is made up of the exterior boundaries of the six counties of Northern Ireland, is just under 200 miles long. As regards the remainder of the question, it would not be in the public interest to give the information desired.
§ Sir G. FOXIs the Financial Secretary satisfied that the present arrangements will stop this scandalous smuggling, in view of the fact that fat cattle are worth about £6 more in Northern Ireland than in the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am not ever satisfied, but every step that can be taken is and will be taken.
§ 59. Sir G. FOXasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received any recent reports from the Government of Northern Ireland indicating the continued existence of smuggling from the Irish Free State on a large scale; and whether the Government of Northern Ireland is satisfied that all adequate and sufficient precautions are being taken to prevent it?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am not aware of the particular reports to which my hon. Friend refers, but close consideration is being given to the prevention of smuggling in consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland.
Brigadier-General BROWNIs the Financial Secretary aware that that is the same sort of answer that he gave me six months ago, and that in the meantime smuggling has very greatly increased; and will he, in consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland, take steps to stop this smuggling?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe fact that I gave an answer six months ago and have given the same answer to-day is proof that I was speaking the truth on both occasions.