HC Deb 10 February 1982 vol 17 cc387-8W
Mr. George

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Her Majesty's Customs and Excise decided not to proceed with the case against the Horserace Totalisator Board's "Rails" representative at the Central Criminal Court on 1 February.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

The exercise of the power to compound any proceedings under section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 is a matter for the discretion of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. I understand that the commissioners reviewed all the circumstances of the case in the light of comments made by the presiding magistrate during committal proceedings, and concluded that this was a proper case for the exercise of that power.