§ 40. Mr. AMMONasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the issue of boxes of Union Jack matches, made in Japan, for the use of the staffs in telephone exchanges and branch post offices; and whether such matches were purchased by the Post Office or otherwise supplied?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAbout 400 gross boxes of Japanese matches were confiscated by the Customs authorities and were handed over by them to my Department instead of being destroyed. They were issued to various Government Departments, including the Post Office, in response to requisitions. British matches only are purchased by my Department for official use.
§ Mr. AMMONIs this not an unusual procedure? Is it the practice to distribute to Government Departments commodities which have been seized by the Customs authorities?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes, I understand it is. I agree that this is the first case of which I have heard, but I understand it is a long-established practice. I cannot answer for the Customs authorities, and any further questions on that aspect of the matter should be put to the Treasury.
§ Mr. LEACHHas the right hon. Gentleman received any reports on those Japanese matches from those who have used them?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI had a box given to me, and they were certainly very bad matches.