§ Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the case of Major Pike, ordered home before the 218W expiration of his normal tour of duty in the Far East and thereby incurring additional Customs duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoydenMajor Pike served in the Far East from January, 1966, to August, 1967. When there was no suitable job for him in the Far East he was posted to his battalion in the United Kingdom. He was told of this move in January, 1967.
In July, 1967, very shortly before his return, he got married, and on arriving in this country had to pay£180 in customs duties on wedding presents. Major Pike would have been liable to customs duty on goods purchased abroad whenever he returned to the United Kingdom.