asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate and have published for the benefit of the general public a list of goods and the quantities thereof which will be permitted to be sent to Great Britain without licence during the Christmas period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unlicensed Export Goods.
A list of articles prohibited to be exported except under licence has been published and is on display at all post offices and customs stations. Any article not contained in the list may be exported in any quantity without licence.
In the case of certain goods subject to export control the position is as follows:—(i) Goods made from or containing sugar (for example, jams, cakes, sweets, chocolates, etc.) may be exported without a licence provided they are sent by parcel post.
(ii) The Minister for Agriculture has arranged that, during the Christmas period, the following may be sent as bona fide gifts to persons in Great Britain without an export licence:— One turkey, one goose, one duck or fowl, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, tinned vegetables, fish (other than salmon), honey.
I think I should emphasise that what I have said covers the position regarding our own export controls, but it must be remembered that gift parcels are also affected by British import regulations. I understand that the two main British controls relating to food parcels from this country are:—(i) A regulation prohibiting entirely the importation of gift parcels containing canned fruits, dried fruits, chocolates and sugar confectionery; and (ii) a regulation prohibiting residents in Britain from sending money abroad for the purchase of rationed foodstuffs.