§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise action which led to the prosecution of the Gay's the Word bookshop.
§ Mr. BrookeI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost to his Department in legal fees of the prosecution of the Gay's the Word bookshop.
§ Mr. BrookeThis information is not yet available.
80W
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise were employed in the overall action against the Gay's the Word bookshop.
§ Mr. BrookeAt one time or another some 40 staff—including local and headquarters staff and legal advisers — worked on the Gay's the Word case. Most were involved for a very short period, mainly in scrutinising books detained from the bookshop to determine whether or not they were covered by the import prohibition.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether compensation will be paid to Gay's the Word Bookshop for new books soiled in the course of scrutiny by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeCustoms and Excise will consider any valid claim by Gay's the Word bookshop for compensation for any new book damaged while seized by them.