§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is possible for 563W Customs officers to identify at ports of entry (i) carded or combed vicuna hair (ii) uncarded or uncombed vicuna hair (iii) cloths made from vicuna hair; which of these products is a restricted import; and if there is any reason for any distinction in restriction on the three categories of commodity.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe importation of vicuna hair, whether or not carded or combed, is restricted, but importation of cloth made from the hair is not. Identification of the hair is difficult and whilst Customs officers are given general guidance as to its characteristics cases of doubt can normally be resolved only by the reference of samples for laboratory examination. The identification difficulties are greater in the case of cloth, particularly
US $ million Canadian $ million 1974 1975 1974 1975 Her Majesty's Government $2.5 million loan from clearing banks … … … … 1,250 2,500 Long term loans, mainly dating back to the Second World War … … … … 3,461 3,398 853 831 In addition, identified overseas holdings of United Kingdom Government Stocks and Treasury Bills amounted to about £2.38 billion at the end of September 1975, compared with £2.75 billion a year earlier.