§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is (a) the minimum, (b) the average and (c) the maximum length of delay imposed by Her Majesty's Customs on heavy goods vehicles crossing the frontier between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonPrecise figures are not available, but, providing the documents presented to Customs are properly completed, clearance of heavy goods vehicles crossing the boundary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can take as little as five minutes, though in general the clearance time is about 15 minutes. At times, owing to the character of the goods, their examination may cause the formalities to take up to one hour.
§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is (a) the minimum, (b) the average and (c) the maximum length of delay imposed by Her Majesty's Customs on railway wagons crossing the frontier between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonRailway wagons are not delayed for Customs purposes when crossing the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as Customs formalities take place on arrival in Portadown or Belfast.