§ Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the delay and expense experienced by shipowners and exporters arising from the pre-entry regulation which entails the submission of details of every package and article exported; and whether he can arrange that a visual examination should be substituted?
§ Mr. StanleyI am aware that a number of representations have been made on this subject. The war-time requirement that particulars of all goods should be entered with the Customs before shipment is an essential feature of the arrangements for preventing the export of restricted goods without licence and I am advised that this, combined with a test check examination, which I understand has been reduced to a minimum, is the best means of carrying out the necessary supervision. I am also advised that the arrangement suggested in the last part of the question would result in greater inconvenience and expense to exporters owing to the necessity for opening a greater proportion of packages.
The Departments concerned have been and will remain in close and constant touch with representatives of trade and shipping interests with a view to eliminating all avoidable difficulties, and I would take this opportunity to appeal for the greatest possible co-operation between all concerned in the working of the arrangements.