§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue new guidelines to the Customs Commissioners regarding the suppression of information as to imports, in the light of the provisions contained in the Finance (No. 2) Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LilleyCustoms and Excise is fully aware of the need to operate the suppression arrangements with particular care in the light of the new provisions for disclosure of importers names and addresses introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Bill. Special methods will need to be adopted in order to mask information that might indirectly reveal details of the extent of business in a particular commodity. Customs is already discussing details with interested parties and will provide an adequate opportunity for comment on the new arrangements before they are implemented.