§ 52. Mr. Stokesasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether arrangements can be made so as to permit the entry of small presents of cigarettes, etc., duty free, into this country from relatives and friends in Eire addressed to Irishmen serving in the Armed Forces of the Crown?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)At present, where a man serving in the United Kingdom Forces proves to the satisfaction of the Customs that he is a national of Eire, duty is repaid on any parcels sent to him. Payment and repayment of duty would, however, be avoided if an organisation 1626 could be set up in this country which would undertake the delivery of gifts and would verify the nationality of the addressee. Duty-free entry would then be sanctioned for gifts sent through that organisation to nationals of Eire serving in our Forces. Such arrangements have already been made in the case of nationals of other Dominions so serving.
§ Mr. StokesArising out of that decision, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that a soldier receiving a small packet of cigarettes has to apply through the normal channels for the rebate of 2s. 2d., or whatever it is? Does it not reduce the thing rather to an absurdity?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, there is a way out, if an organisation were set up, as has been done by the other Dominions.
§ Mr. StokesWho is going to set up the organisation?
§ Captain CrookshankPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to do so.