§ Mr. D. Footasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many books have been seized by Customs officers in each of the last twelve months; and how many in each month have been returned to their owners.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanDuring 1963 the Customs seized 235,837 books. All but some 250 of these were bulk commercial imports; five books were returned to travellers. I regret that separate monthly figures are not available.
§ Mr. D. Footasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many books are now on the list which Customs officers are directed to seize; and on what dates the list has been revised during the past twelve months.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanThe list at present comprises 165 books. During the past twelve months amendments to 115W the list were authorised on 5th April, 1963, 8th November, 1963, 13th January, 1964, and 5th March, 1964.
§ Mr. D. Footasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions are issued to Customs officers regarding the seizure of books.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanCustoms officers clearing imported merchandise are instructed that if in the course of their duties they find books which appear to be obscene they should detain them and report the matter to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. So far as private travellers are concerned, officers are instructed not to ask passengers whether they have obscene books with them, but if any books which appear to be obscene are found in baggage such books are to be detained and reported to the Commissioners or, in the case of certain books listed in the instructions, seized locally. Any person claiming that any thing seized as liable to forfeiture is not so liable must give notice of his claim, in which case the Commissioners must take proceedings under the Customs and Excise Act, 1952, for condemnation of that thing by the court.