HC Deb 14 April 1953 vol 514 cc17-8
22. Mr. McKibbin

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions to commanding officers of units serving overseas to warn all ranks under their command that certain articles are liable to duty and should not be sent home as gifts, in view of the fact that in many cases recipients suffer hardship in paying the duty.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

Special instructions about this matter have been sent out four times in the last two years. The necessity for seeing that all officers and men were made aware of the contents of these notices was particularly stressed.

Mr. McKibbin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in spite of this the troops do not seem to understand the regulations regarding Customs charges on goods other than cigarettes and whisky not exceeding £1 in total value? Is he aware that recently I had a case with the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a soldier serving abroad sent home a packet value 21s. 6d., and because there was 2s. worth of cigarettes in the packet the unfortunate recipient had to pay 21s. 3d. duty?

Mr. Head

I do not know about the individual case but I think that men are aware that they are sending goods which may be liable to duty because they have to fill in a form, which is a label, making a Customs declaration when they send the parcel. They are, therefore, automatically aware of that fact.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that some of us feel that men serving overseas ought to be allowed to send in goods duty free to their relatives from overseas to a far greater extent than is at present allowed?

Mr. Head

That is another question, but I should say that the amount duty free has been increased by the Treasury quite recently from 10s. to £1.