Earl of DALKEITHasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps are taken by the Customs authorities to ensure that timber imported free of duty into this country as pit props is only used as such, and is not subsequently sawn up for use as box boards and other purposes?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe exemption from duty under the Import Duties Act to which my Noble Friend refers applies to "wooden pit props." The function of the Customs authorities in administering the exemption is limited to determining at the point of importations whether or not 211W timber comes within the scope of the exemption.