§ 1. Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to improve and speed up cargo handling arrangements by the customs authorities at London Airport to coincide with the opening of the new cargo terminal in December, 1968.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Niall MacDermot)The Customs are already co-operating to speed the clearance of goods, without waiting until December, 1968.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIs the Financial Secretary aware that The Times newspaper for 8th June reported that the Customs and Excise at London Airport had rejected a perfectly viable scheme put forward by the Institute of Shipping and Forwarding Agents, that this decision will probably result in congestion, and that it could result in the country losing millions of £s worth of invisible exports? Will the hon. and learned Gentleman look into this matter as a matter of urgency?
§ Mr. MacDermotI am aware of the report and I would challenge practically everything contained in it.