§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many approved crossings and unapproved crossings exist on the Co. Armagh frontier.
§ Dr. GilbertThere are six approved routes across the land boundary in Co. Armagh, and, ignoring footpaths and farm tracks, there are 48 unapproved roads in the same area.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Middletown frontier post, formerly situated at Ardgonnel, has been moved some three miles away from the frontier; what steps are being taken to control the movement of vehicular traffic across the frontier and the subsequent dispersal which can now take place unchecked by Her Majesty's Customs; and whether this change represents a general policy of withdrawing from the frontier.
§ Dr. GilbertMiddletown post has been moved temporarily in order to provide more suitable facilities in present conditions; but this does not imply any change of general policy as regards the siting of Customs controls on the land boundary. Customs staff in patrol cars are responsible for the interception of persons and vehicles seeking to evade the controls by the use of unapproved routes or by travelling outside approved hours.