§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on whose instructions 531W all overseas mail sent to 26 British publishing houses, including the New English Library, is diverted to Her Majesty's Customs for opening and search unknown to the recipients; when the list was last changed; which names have been added since March 1974; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 8th December 1978; Vol 959, c. 802], gave the following reply
H.M. Customs and Excise examine incoming postal packets selectively as part of their normal responsibility for collecting import charges and enforcing import prohibitions and restrictions. The Postal Packets (Customs and Excise) Regulations 1975 require the Post Office to produce to Customs all categories of mail arriving from overseas. Such mail remains in Post Office charge throughout and the opening of any packets selected for Customs examination is carried out by the Post Office who affix a label making it clear when this has been done. The list in question was last amended six months ago.