§ Mr. Houghtonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that seven separate sheets of paper had to be completed by the seller of one book, price one guinea, ordered by the Crown Agents to be dispatched to Ceylon, Indent No. 983/55–56; and why two invoices for the recipient, first advice copy with the article and second advice copy separately, an invoice, payment copy, invoice, file copy, invoice, second advice copy, invoice, copy for insurance, progress report, and certificate of posting, are all necessary to small purchases of this kind.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe seven separate sheets comprise one original invoice and six carbon copies. Of these five are normally required by the Crown Agents' principals for accountancy, Customs clearance and advice purposes. While the Crown Agents do not invariably insist on this number in the case of small orders, it would not readily be practicable to introduce special procedure for such cases into their general invoicing instructions.