HC Deb 01 July 1947 vol 439 cc1141-3
53. Mr. Janner

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the damage which is being done to the tourist trade because visitors to this country frequently miss the connection between the boat by which they arrive and the special train taking them to London owing to delay in the Customs; and whether steps will be taken to evolve a more effective system of co-ordination between the Customs authorities and the port and railway authorities in this connection.

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir. I have seen only one complaint to this effect.

Mr. Janner

Would my right hon. Friend make further inquiry with regard to this matter, because, according to my information, a large number of people have been delayed and are being delayed? That might be avoided if steps were taken in the boats themselves before they reach port in order that the Customs investigation could be expedited.

Mr. Dalton

I have only, I repeat, had one complaint so far. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with any evidence that this is a serious matter involving many complaints I shall, of course, look into it. But one swallow does not make a summer.

Captain Marsden

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the real cause of the trouble is this: the people first off the boat are usually in the second or third reserved train and they jam the Customs, and people with reserved seats in the first train cannot get to the Customs? There are serious complaints, even if they do not reach the ears of the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Dalton

I am always anxious and willing to receive complaints direct from hon. Members, or hear of experiences reported to them. The Customs authorities, in my view, are doing a good job on this, and I hope I am not going to be pressed to increase the staff.

Mr. Janner

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there is no suggestion of any aspersion on the Customs officials? The question is one of arranging Customs inquiries on the boats themselves, as is done at present only in a minor form, so that afterwards the Customs ashore can be cleared rapidly, so that people can get on to the trains.

Mr. Dalton

That would mean, I suspect, having more Customs officers on the boats, and I am not prepared, even for a slight inconvenience, to add to the Customs staff for this sort of purpose.