§ 74. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why faulty assessments of customs duties are still continuing in the Seychelles, as reported by the Principal Auditor in his latest Report; and what urgent action is being taken to ensure proper collections of these duties.
§ Mr. ProfumoI should like to put the hon. Member's question in perspective. In 1956, the year to which he refers, there was no faulty assessment of export duties. Faulty assessments on bills of entry involved a total underassessment of £86, all of which was recovered.
The Principal Auditor has recently informed the Acting Governor that there has been a substantial improvement in the collection of these duties in the first half of 1957 and that he now regards the situation as satisfactory.