§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers he has to compensate bookshops for losses incurred by them as a result of seizure of stock by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise against which no prosecution is subsequently sustained.
§ Mr. HayhoeWhen Her Majesty's Customs and Excise formally seize an article on the grounds that it is a prohibited import it is open to the owner to claim it is not liable to forfeiture and the matter is then determined by a court in civil condemnation proceedings. Unless the court finds the seizure unlawful the question of compensation does not arise.