§ Dame Patricia Hornsby-Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Kent County Council, having purchased from Holland 100,000 candles for distribution to elderly people dependent upon electricity for their power supplies, were unable to take delivery at Tilbury on Tuesday as Customs and Excise officials insisted on opening every box to ascertain their colour and whether they were subject to purchase tax, as a result of which delivery was delayed for two days; and if he will investigate and make a statement.
§ Mr. HigginsMy information is that these candles did not arrive until Wednesday and that they were cleared by Customs and Excise on the same day about four hours after the import documents were produced.