IMPORT, EXPORT AND CUSTOMS POWERS (DEFENCE) BILL. (Hansard, 1 September 1939)

§ LORD TEMPLEMORE
My Lords, this Bill is rendered necessary for two main reasons: first, to facilitate the control of exports and imports in time of war, and secondly, to remedy certain weaknesses in the present law. The present powers as regards exports are those in the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1879, as amended. Under these powers a Proclamation or Order in Council can be issued in time of war prohibiting the export of any specified article to all destinations or to specified destinations. As regards imports, the present powers are contained mainly in the Customs Consolidation Act of 1876, but it has been held in the case of the Attorney-General versus Brown in 1920 that that. Act gives power only to control the import of arms and munitions and similar goods. In war it will be necessary to control the import of many other classes of goods. It is essential in war to have all control of exports and imports on a satisfactory legal basis, and it is considered desirable that the power to regulate both imports and exports, and to vary any prohibition or regulation, should be in the hands of the Board of Trade. This, as we think, essential power is contained in the Bill. The Bill also contains other provisions to assist the Customs in maintaining control of exports and imports at the ports in war, and also to prevent the import and export of any goods. These powers are contained in Clauses 3 to 7. Clause 8 is the interpretation clause. Clause 9 settles the coming into force of the. Act, and provides that it shall only continue in force during the emergency that is the occasion of the passing of the Act.
Moved, That the Bill be now read 2^a.—(Lord Templemore.)

LORD STRABOLGI
My Lords, as we seem to be working more rapidly than 934 the House of Commons, may I take the opportunity of saying one word on this very important Bill? It does, as Lord Templemore explained, have two purposes, one relating to the blockade of any of the King's enemies and the other is to prevent abnormal imports, to protect exchanges and also to prevent the export of goods that we cannot spare from the country. It follows the lines of the similar Act in the last War. Now in the last War tremendous irritation, delay and loss to traders were caused by the slow-moving machinery, in the first months particularly, after this legislation was passed. Exporters and merchants, engaged on most desirable and legitimate trade, could not get the necessary permits for their business, and I do hope the influential members of the Government present will do their best to see that we have a more quick-moving machinery. I think the Government will agree that if we are going in for a long war it will be most essential to keep our exports going, otherwise we blockade ourselves.
It is just as important in a way as blockading the King's enemies. I do not think that was realised in the last War. I say so with great deference in the presence of the noble Viscount, Lord Samuel, who was then a member of the Cabinet. Until quite late on, I think it was not realised how important it was to keep our ordinary export trade going. I had many complaints from my own constituents, when I represented a great mercantile community in another place. Let us learn our lesson from that, and try to help our exporters, and not drive them almost insane by such delays as occurred between 1914 and 1918.

§ LORD TEMPLEMORE
My Lords, the noble Lord has raised a point of great importance, and I can only say at this stage that his remarks will be duly noted. I hope and believe that the annoying and irritating delays about which he speaks will not be experienced in any war that we may unfortunately have to wage.