§ 4. Miss Burtonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mrs. A. E. Lewin, 103, Quinton Road, Coventry, had to pay £2 3s. 4d. on a musical box sent as an anniversary present by her husband, now serving with the Royal Artillery in Korea; and what was the reason for his high charge being made.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe musical box was liable to import duty and, in addition, to Purchase Tax. The combined charge calculated at the legal rates on the value declared by the sender, was £1 10s. The payment of £2 3s. 4d. by Mrs. Lewin included duty and tax on some additional items in her parcel.
As the hon. Member is aware, there is a special concession which enables Service men to send home presents other than tobacco, scent or liquor free of Customs charges provided their total value does not exceed 10s. The value of this parcel was £2 7s.
§ Miss BurtonI am well aware of all that, but does the Financial Secretary not feel—because I know that the Government, of whatever party, are sympathetic—that something could be done about the parcels sent home by these Service men; and would the Chancellor either consider revising the list or set up a committee to look into this matter?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThis is an important matter, and I can assure the hon. Lady that it is kept under review.