HC Deb 13 May 1985 vol 79 cc29-30W
Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to privatise the bill of entry sections of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

Mr. Hayhoe

In a review of the work of the Customs and Excise Statistical Office it was recommended that an experienced marketing agent should be appointed to provide trade statistics to the private sector. This service is currently provided by the relatively small bill of entry section of the Customs and Excise Statistical Office. At present Customs and Excise is considering the best way to implement the recommendation and is consulting a number of firms which have expressed an interest in the project.

No firm decision has yet been taken on whether or how the recommendation will be implemented.