§ 53. Mr. Chapmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in a case, details of which have been sent to him, Her Majesty's Customs have detained at London Docks for two months a consignment of glass discs to a firm in Northfield, Birmingham, despite the firm's repeated offers to pay the extra £3 15s, which may be due as extra duty; whether he is aware that the firm has now had to import a complete new consignment by air as a result of this delay; and whether he will release the discs forthwith and send an official apology to the consignees for the inconvenience they have suffered.
Mr. AmoryThe goods were released by Customs on 30th June. Inquiries into the reasons for the delay in clearance are not yet complete, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the facts have been ascertained.