HC Deb 24 October 1967 vol 751 cc459-60W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Postmaster-General on what basis his officials select letters from the incoming and outgoing overseas mails for examination by Her Majesty's Customs; what percentage of letters are handled in this way; how many letters from or to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are subject to this procedure each month, or period for which information is available; and on whose authority within each General Post Office the decision to select such letters is made

Mr. Edward Short

Under the general provision of Section 16 of the Post Office Act 1953 and its application under the Postal Packets (Customs and Excise) Regulations 1966, all postal packets entering or leaving this country are liable to Customs examination. The selection of postal packets for examination is at the discretion of the appropriate Customs Officer, although the actual opening and re-sealing of the packets is carried out by Post Office staff. The Post Office does not keep records of the numbers of items selected.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he takes to advise writers and receivers of overseas letters which are held up for inspection by Her Majesty's Customs that their correspondence has been examined by British officials.

Mr. Edward Short

These letters are resealed with a label bearing the following text: "Customs and Currency Examination. The Post Office in the United Kingdom opened this package for examination by Customs and have resealed it." No separate notification is sent to the senders. The liability of postal packets to Customs examination is explained in the Post Office Guide which is available for inspection in any post office.