HC Deb 22 June 1990 vol 174 cc735-6W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what checks are used to ensure that consignments sent to Iraq described as milk powder are not explosives for military use; and what assessment he has made of the efficacy of these checks in recent shipments.

Mr. Ryder

Milk powder exported to Iraq is presently liable to monetary compensatory amounts (MCAs) which are export charges under the common agricultural policy (CAP) of the European Community. It may also be eligible for CAP export refunds. Customs and Excise regularly spot-checks and samples a proportion of such consignments as part of its normal responsibilities for the controls

Students on higher education courses Resident Welsh students1 on higher education courses Resident Welsh students as a percentage of HE students
The Polytechnic of Wales 5,897 3,183 54
South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education 3,452 2,426 70
Gwent College of Higher Education 3,365 2,657 79
North East Wales Institute of Higher Education 2,728 1,709 63
West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education 2,659 2,131 80
Trinity College 643 443 69
Normal College of Higher Education 577 482 84
Carmarthen College of Technology and Art 353 314 89
College of Librarianship, Wales 314 48 15
Welsh College of Music and Drama 310 111 36
Bridgend College of Technology 209 208 100
Gwynedd Technical College 167 166 99
Llandrillo Technical College 157 127 81
Newport College of Further Education 98 91 93
Welsh Agricultural College 71 45 63
Pontypridd Technical College 64 64 100

of CAP exports. Given the high level of CAP export refunds involved, Customs has in recent times given greater prominence to milk products in its sampling campaigns. This involves checks and sampling at premises where loading for export takes place. Customs also conducts spot checks on export freight generally for a variety of preventive purposes.

None of these checks has revealed the presence of explosives of any kind.

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