§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cargoes of petalite have been impounded or confiscated by Her Majesty's Officers of Customs on discharge at British ports on grounds of originating from Rhodesia; and at which ports, from what ships and on what dates this occurred.
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§ Mr. HigginsFour consignements of imported petalite, as follows, have been seized on the ground that they were of Rhodesian origin.
Port Ship Date of seizure Immingham Clan Malcolm 15th May 1970 Hull Tantallon Castle 15th May 1970 Hull City of Port Elizabeth 1st June, 1970 Hull Clan MacTavish 1st June, 1970
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what certificates of origin accompanied cargoes of petalite impounded on the grounds that they originated in Rhodesia; and why they were not accepted by the Customs.
§ Mr. HigginsIt is not the normal practice to give details of individual consignments. The primary purpose of certificates of Commonwealth origin is to support claims for the admission of goods to this country under Commonwealth Preference. In determining whether any given consignment may be admitted, under Commonwealth Preference or otherwise, the Customs take account of all available information, including the nature of the goods and any certificate relating to them.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who were the purchasers and sellers of cargoes of petalite impounded on the grounds that they originated in Rhodesia; and what representations they made concerning this confiscation or impounding.
§ Mr. HigginsIt is not the normal practice to disclose such details of transactions involving individual firms.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the cargoes of petalite confiscated or impounded by the Customs were re-sold to the original United Kingdom purchaser; and whether the proceeds covered the dock warehousing charges incurred.
§ Mr. HigginsIt is not normal practice to give details about individual firms. The Commissioners of Customs and Excise have power, under Sections 275 and 288 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1952, to dispose of seized goods as they 275W think fit. They have so disposed of two consignments of petalite, and the proceeds from the disposal covered the expenditure by the Crown on storage charges.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Her Majesty's Officers of Customs visited South Africa to investigate the country of origin of cargoes of petalite bound for the United Kingdom; and what co-operation they received from the South African authorities.
§ Mr. HigginsNo such visit was made.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether tests are carried out by Her Majesty's Officers of Customs on incoming cargoes of petalite to determine their country of origin.
§ Mr. HigginsAll imported goods are subject to Customs examination, including the testing of samples where necessary.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who sanctions the selling of confiscated cargoes of petalite; and when permission was given for the sale of such cargoes held at the ports of Hull and Immingham during the last three months.
§ Mr. HigginsThe Commissioners of Customs and Excise, under Sections 275 and 278 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1952. They decided at the end of May to sell two consignments of petalite, but the sale arrangements were not completed until the end of June.