§ Sir G. Foxasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider extending the present concession of sending parcels duty free to troops of the British Expeditionary Forces in France to other troops stationed in overseas territories during the Christmas period?
§ Sir J. SimonIf, as I assume, my hon. Friend refers to the arrangements; whereby reduced quantities of cigars, cigarettes and tobacco may be sent by post free of United Kingdom Customs Duty to members of the British Expeditionary Forces in France and to certain Naval personnel, I should explain that exemption of French Customs Duty and import restrictions is granted by courtesy of the French Government. Any extension of such a concession to troops serving 1049W elsewhere would involve questions affecting the tariff arrangements of other Governments, and is not free from difficulty in other respects. I regret, therefore, that I cannot undertake to proceed as my hon. Friend suggests.