HC Deb 10 June 1941 vol 372 c31
51. Mr. Summers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the goods imported during 1940 which were taken over by the Customs authorities on account of the fact that they had become subject to orders prohibiting their import, and the number of transactions involved?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The estimated value (exclusive of duty) of goods seized by the Customs during the year I940 on account of their having been imported without the necessary import licence is 34,362, and the number of transactions involved is 874.

Mr. Summers

In view of the ill-feeling and hardship caused among exporters from the other countries of the Empire to this country, who have had their goods taken without any chance themselves to effect examination, will my right hon. Friend consider relieving the position of those exporters by keeping the proceeds of the sale of their goods for them until after the war?

Sir K. Wood

That is a much larger question than the one on the Paper.