asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the general uncertainty in the public mind as to what articles may be brought into Northern Ireland, what are prohibited and, in particular, what are allowed in small quantities for personal use, he will see that articles taken by officers of the Customs and Excise from persons who have duly declared them will not be confiscated, but will be either kept for return to the owner on his return journey or allowed to be sent to his address in Éire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Return of Seized Goods.
The answer is in the negative. The suggestion that there should be any uncertainty on the part of passengers regarding goods prohibited to be exported cannot be accepted. Full information regarding goods which may not be exported can be obtained from the Revenue Commissioners' office, or from any local officer of Customs and Excise. Owing to lack of accommodation, it is not feasible to retain goods at frontier stations and posts until the return of the passenger. Apart from considerations regarding shortage of staff and lack of accommodation the proposal to permit the return of the goods to the offender's private address would amount to an invitation to passengers to bring prohibited goods to the place of exportation in the hope that they might find an opportunity to export them irregularly without risking the loss of the goods.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state where exact information as to what goods can be taken across in small quantities for personal use can be obtained?
I have indicated that this information can be obtained by the persons concerned from the Revenue Commissioners or any local officer of Customs and Excise.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a 2 lb. pot of marmalade, which a woman made for the use of herself and family, while they were on holiday in Belfast, and which she could not obtain on her ration card in Northern Ireland, was taken from her at the Border and would not be given back to her on her return journey? Is that a proper method? Is the Minister aware that it is possible to take a small parcel into and out of England?
The Minister is aware that many of those people are not half as innocent as they claim to be.
I am not defending the innocence of anybody. I am asking is it proper that a 2 lb. pot of jam taken by a woman going on holiday to Belfast should be taken from her and not given back when she was coming home?
I have informed the Deputy that, if any persons desire to be informed as to the amount and nature of the goods they may take with them, they can get that information from the Revenue Commissioners or any local officer of Customs and Excise.