§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, following the breakdown of the Customs and Excise computer, he will relieve films from having either to pay duty by cash or by bankers' guarantee in relation to goods being imported into the United Kingdom under European Economic Community duty-free quotas.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyne[pursuant to his reply, 6 December 1982, c. 346]: The computer used to control Community tariff quotas has not broken down but is being replaced by a more powerful machine. Payment of duty is not required until quotas have been used up, but when a quota is nearing exhaustion it is normal practice to require security for duty by means of cash deposit or bankers' guarantee. The computer changeover has not affected these arrangements, but unfortunately some technical ptoblems have led to some delay in adjusting securities where quotas have already been exhausted. Customs and Excise is making every effort to resolve this problem as quickly as possible.