§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of international collaboration has taken place to monitor the transition to the new system at customs posts throughout the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 22 February 1988]: The European Commission is responsible for monitoring the transition to the new system and is consulting member states. Early indications are that the changes have been introduced successfully throughout the Community.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reduction is anticipated in the customs officers required by Her Majesty's Government at internal borders as a result of the reforms made by the single administrative document under the Customs '88 project.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 22 February 1988]: The single administrative document is a measure for facilitating trade by rationalising official documentation. Once the new system has settled in, it should reduce both delays at Customs and the incidence of error, but the improvement is not quantifiable.