HC Deb 31 October 1944 vol 404 cc634-5
60. Mr. Bowles

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether American military personnel returning to this country by air from France are exempt from Customs duties and Purchase Tax to which British military personnel are liable.

Sir J. Anderson

American military personnel arriving in this country from abroad are allowed to bring with them articles intended for their personal use free of Customs Duty and Purchase Tax. It is understood that a similar privilege is allowed in the United States of America to British military personnel on duty there. British military personnel returning to this country from abroad enjoy the usual concessions accorded to all passengers in regard to personal effects brought in their baggage. An additional concession is allowed in regard to Purchase Tax, as explained in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Eccles) on the 1st August, 1944.

Mr. Bowles

Is it not a fact that on arrival at an airport near London, British military personnel have to go through the Customs and American military personnel are exempt from any kind of examination at all, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that causes a good deal of unhappiness and discomfort to both Americans and British?

Sir J. Anderson

I do not know why these reactions should result. It is a question of international courtesy which is reciprocal. I feel sure that Customs officers extend the utmost consideration to military personnel, whether British or American.

Mr. Bowles

The right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. It is not a question of Customs officers being inconsiderate. The British military officials felt unhappy about it, and so did the Americans, because the British had to go through the Customs and not the others.

Sir J. Anderson

I do not think there is any substantial ground for the feeling.

Captain Poole

Seeing that British personnel who land in America are compelled to go through the American Customs, can there be any lack of courtesy in compelling American personnel to go through the same process here?

Sir J. Anderson

I have said that a similar courtesy is extended to British military personnel in America.

Captain Poole

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries, because I think he will find that that is not true?

Mr. John Dugdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the payment of Purchase Tax by troops sending goods back to their relatives at home is deeply resented?

Sir J. Anderson

That is a separate question, but having regard to the concessions that have been made there is no real ground for resentment. It is not a question here merely of the interests of the troops. We have also to consider the question of the producers of British goods on which tax has to be paid.