§ 38. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of persons engaged directly in the collection of Import Duties and the cost of same for the 12 months to the latest date, together with the value of the duties collected?
§ Captain CrookshankThe collection of duties on imported goods is undertaken by the staff of the Customs and Excise Department as part of their general duties, and there are no separate figures available as to staff or cost of the kind requested. The total receipts from all Customs duties for the year ended 31st December, 1940, were £349,000,000.
§ Mr. EdwardsHas the right hon. and gallant Gentleman considered the loss of self-respect to men engaged on utterly useless work of this kind, and does he not realise that the cost involved is added to the bills which come back to the Government?
§ Captain CrookshankI could not accept that as a statement of the case.
§ Mr. EdwardsWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman look into the matter?