HC Deb 19 November 1953 vol 520 cc1894-5
37. Mr. McKibbin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reasons for the change in procedure, made on 2nd November, 1953, regarding the export by parcel post of articles, such as linen handkerchiefs and sheets, normally subject to Purchase Tax when sold at home, in view of the fact that this change involves a multiplicity of forms, notes and labels which adds considerably to the cost.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris) on 12th November.

Mr. McKibbin

Is my hon. Friend aware that under the new system a linen exporter seeking to send a parcel to Italy has to fill in a label addressed to the consignees, three non-adhesive Customs forms, one dispatch note, one Purchase Tax form P.T. 43, one Purchase Tax label P.T. 44, pages 1 and 2 of the Exchange Control form and about three other forms equally unnecessary? Does my hon. Friend not think that it is time this procedure were altered?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The Government, as I explained in the answer to which I have referred, are endeavouring to secure that the completion of these forms shall be as closely similar as possible to that of forms demanded by the foreign Customs authorities, so as to minimise trouble as far as possible.

38. Mr. McKibbin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, under the new arrangements regarding export by parcel post, brought in on 2nd November, 1953, an exporter who sends numbers of parcels at the same time to a single overseas customer is now required to give a separate receipt for each parcel instead of one for the whole batch as before; and whether, in view of the difficulties thus involved to exporters, he will revert to the former simpler procedure.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No, Sir; a single certificate of posting is accepted for any group of parcels for which a single Customs declaration is accepted in the country of destination; and in the case envisaged in the Question a single Customs declaration is usually accepted for a number of parcels for the same addressee.

For the reasons I gave in reply to the Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris) on 12th November, I am afraid we could not continue the former procedure.