§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons for the dropping by Customs and Excise of their prosecution at Dover magistrates court in July against Contractors 600 for illegal exportation to Iraq of lathes supplied by the Colchester Lathe Company; what payments of fines were made by the company; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 17 November 1992]: The proceedings referred to were in respect of the export of 328W castings without the requisite licence. The alleged offence was under section 68(1) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 which does not allege fraudulent intent.
Proceedings in this case were stayed following an agreement by the commissioners in the exercise of their authority under section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 to compound proceedings on payment of £75,000.