Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, owing 280W to the silk duties, any additional staff has been taken on by the Customs authorities to meet the additional work of inspection at the ports and, if so, how many; and whether, in view of the urgent need of economising the labour of these officials, he has considered the advisability of prohibiting the sales, and offer for sale, of any imported wild birds plumage for millinery and dress purposes other than that plumage added to the Schedule of the Plumage Act?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 23rd July and 24th November last. As regards the second part of the question, it would not appear that the duties devolving upon Customs officials under the existing Plumage Act would be diminished if a prohibition on sales were imposed.