asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the present position regarding the sending of gift parcels by persons in this country to relatives in Great Britain; whether there is a limit imposed on quantities so forwarded, and if so, how such limit is calculated; whether British visitors are permitted to take articles of food or clothing in their baggage when leaving this country; and if so, under what conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gift Parcels.
Mr. Corish
Gift parcels containing goods, the export of which is controlled by me under the Emergency Powers (Control of Export) Order, 1940, are not permitted to be sent by persons in this country to relatives in Great Britain.
The export of agricultural and dairy products is controlled by the Minister for Agriculture. I understand from him that the conditions under which licences for such goods are issued vary from time to time and may be ascertained by intending donors at the offices of the Department of Agriculture. At present licences are not issued for the export of gift parcels of butter, eggs or meat save in cases of illness or other exceptional circumstances. The quantity of foodstuffs permitted to be exported depends on the merits of each case and the supply position of the food in question.
In conformity with the practice in other countries, visitors leaving this country may be permitted, at the discretion of the revenue authorities, to take with them, for personal or domestic use, small quantities of clothing and certain foodstuffs without specific licences. At present the number of eggs is limited to six and the quantity of fresh meat to 2 lb. of beef or mutton, but no bacon or butter may be taken.