§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made on the introduction of a fast lane clearance system for European Economic Community goods.
§ Mr. LilleyCustoms and Excise is developing two fast lane schemes as interim measures to speed up the clearance of freight in the period leading to completion of the single market. They depend on the use of computer systems to facilitate rapid clearance and to simplify requirements for most kinds of goods imported from the Community.
The first scheme is planned to start nationally on 1 August 1989, from which date the Customs computer will be able to grant immediate clearance to the majority of Community goods upon arrival. The necessary paper documentation will be processed after clearance of the goods. The fast lane facility will not, however, remove the need for essential preventive checks in the case of drugs and other prohibited or restricted goods.
The second scheme will also allow immediate clearance for the same kinds of goods but the detailed information will be provided by importers later in the form of schedules transmitted to Customs electronically. This system will 629W make use of recent developments in technology and will be used this winter on a trial basis before becoming generally available next year.
In consultation with the trading community Customs and Excise is also reviewing export procedures to see whether there is further scope for simplification in order to speed exports to other member states in the Community.