§ 52. Mr. Hollisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that travellers leaving this country are asked by the customs official their reason for so doing; and what is the authority of the customs officials for making this request.
§ 53. Mr. Keelingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purpose his currency control officials at ports ask British subjects who have been granted the ordinary tourist allowance why they are going abroad.
§ 70. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why currency control officials at ports of embarkation ask British subjects to give the reason for their going abroad.
§ Sir S. CrippsSome inquiry into the circumstances of a journey abroad is occasioned by the varying necessity for restrictions upon the export of goods and currency according to whether the traveller is a resident or a visitor and is proceeding to a sterling or non-sterling area. But Customs officers have no authority to go beyond the limits determined by their responsibility for securing compliance with these restrictions.
§ Mr. HollisDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman mean by that, that they have the right to ask people where they are going and the reason for their journeys, or not?
§ Sir S. CrippsCertainly, where there are regulations, for instance, that make a difference whether they are going to a sterling or non-sterling area, they must be able to ask.
§ Mr. HollisBut to ask for the reason for the journey as distinct from the destination?
§ Sir S. CrippsI did not suggest they should ask the reasons for the journey.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that that is the common practice?
§ Mr. KeelingIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in the case I sent him, the officials went beyond those limits, and that travellers resent intrusion into their private affairs, which may be very private?
§ Sir S. CrippsI can appreciate that, and I think it was in that case that I asked them to apologise if there had been any excess of zeal on the part of the Customs officers.
§ Mr. KeelingI have not heard a word from the Chancellor.
§ Mr. TeelingIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that when going to Southern Ireland I have been more than once asked how long I was to he there, and that on one occasion I was asked how much money I was taking out.
§ Sir S. CrippsIt may be necessary to ask how long, because if people are going permanently, they have the right to take more than if they are only going temporarily.