HC Deb 27 March 1947 vol 435 c1402
62. Mr. Charles Smith

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the additional information, forwarded to him on 15th March by the hon. Member for Colchester, about the inconvenience which will be caused to Messrs. Wotton and Attwood, Colchester, by the closing of one of their bonded warehouses; and whether, in view of the small saving of official manpower which will result from closing this warehouse, he will instruct the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to reconsider their decision.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir" and to the second part "No, Sir," but I am writing to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Smith

Is the Financial Secretary aware that the saving of official manpower in this case is 186 hours per year, that that saving is effected at the expense of considerable inconvenience, and is he not aware that such decisions are merely very ridiculous?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

On the contrary, this is a domestic matter between the hon. Member's constituents and the Customs and Excise. As this firm has two small bonded warehouses but has only work for one, it seems right and proper during the present shortage of manpower to close one.