HC Deb 23 May 1950 vol 475 cc1843-4
50. Mr. Teeling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs officers it is estimated will be employed at each of the various ports from which cross-Channel day trips are to be allowed this season when these boats leave and return.

Sir S. Cripps

It is expected that the Customs staff normally in attendance at the Channel ports will suffice to deal with those passengers who make the crossing with day return tickets.

Mr. Teeling

Cannot the right hon. and learned Gentleman give some figure? He must have worked out how many people are likely to be employed?

Sir S. Cripps

No extra people will be employed, but only those already there. As I understand it, the proposals of the Railway Executive are merely to allow people, where there is room on their ordinary steamers, to go on a day trip, so that there will be no more passengers than normally.

Mr. Teeling

In view of the fact that before the war people who sent boats backwards and forwards from Eastbourne and Brighton paid to have Customs officials from Newhaven and Shoreham, could not they be allowed to do so now?

Sir S. Cripps

I am afraid that Customs officials are so rare and valuable that we could not utilise them in that way.