§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often Customs and Excise posts are supplied with copies of the travellers charter; which posts currently hold stocks of the charter available for travellers; and what is the level of such stocks held by each post.
§ Sir John CopeThe travellers charter was launched in January 1992. It is in two versions: poster notices, which are displayed in Customs examination areas for travellers at ports and airports, and leaflets. Twelve thousand copies of the poster and 160,000 copies of the leaflet were printed.
The leaflet can be obtained from Customs at ports and airports, from the 21 regional collections and from Customs headquarters.
Customs offices reorder copies of the leaflet when stocks fall low. It is not possible to assess easily what is the level of stocks held by each post, but centrally 46,000 leaflets remain stock.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Her Majesty's Customs and Excise officials will begin wearing name badges as detailed in the travellers charter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John CopeThe travellers charter was launched in January 1992 and Customs staff have worn name badges with effect from around that date. Exceptions are made where the particular nature of the officer's duty might render the wearing of a name badge unsafe.