§ Mr. Craigenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation there has been between Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and Glasgow shipowners and agents over notice No. 69 on revised boarding procedures for commercial vessels; and if he will look at the problem posed for the smaller shipping agents over complying with the proposed three-hour time limit.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th March 1978], gave the following information:
There have been three meetings between the Customs authorities in Glasgow and the local shipping interests. Following discussions with the professional bodies representing the shipping industry Customs undertook to monitor closely all aspects of the revised boarding 462W procedures, including the requirements to lodge arrival documents within three hours, during the early months of operation.