§ 64. Professor Savoryasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of land preventive men and waterguard officers employed wholly, or partly, on Customs duties on the Irish land boundary on 31st August, 1949; the total annual cost of these officials, including salaries, overtime, and travelling and subsistence allowances; the corresponding figures for the year ended 31st August, 1709 1945; and the reasons for variations in personnel and cost of administration.
§ Sir S. CrippsOn 31st August, 1949, 63 land preventive men and 20 water-guard officers were employed on Customs duties of the Irish Land Boundary. The corresponding figures on 31st August, 1945, were 42 and 2, respectively. The annual cost of their salaries was approximately £30,000 in 1949 and £11,300 in 1945. Details of the other items mentioned are not separately recorded for these staffs.
The number of staff has been increased to cope with increased work and to improve the facilities for the clearance of road and rail traffic, including extended hours of attendance at road posts. Apart from the increase in numbers employed, some increase in cost is due to the improvement of salary scales and to the extended hours worked.
§ Professor SavoryIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that adequate steps have now been taken to prevent this plague of smuggling by Republicans?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am sure that there are adequate officers to attend to the duties which they have to perform.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsHave they ever been known to catch anybody?
§ Mr. GallacherRemove Partition, and you will stop the smuggling.