§ 42. Sir P. Hannonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress which has been 18W made in the simplification of Customs procedure in the United States of America for the encouragement of foreign traders to sell and ship goods to the United States of America, as forecast in the tripartite communique issued after the recent Monetary Conference at Washington.
§ Sir S. Cripps:A series of meetings was held at the Bureau of Customs at Washington from 31st October to 8th November. The talks were at the official level, mainly between Customs representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. They concerned Customs procedures and compared the systems of the three countries in such fields as classification and valuation of goods, assessment of penalties, marking requirements, auditing and accounting, sampling, weighing and testing and treatment of currency exchange practices.
It is early yet to look for specific results. Indeed the nature of the meeting was rather that of exchanging views and comparing experience. But it was felt by those who took part that the discussions had been of great value as leading towards the common goal of Customs simplification and facilitation of legitimate foreign trade, and I think we can be well satisfied with the tenor of them.