HC Deb 12 April 1984 vol 58 cc347-8W
Mr. Ashdown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements there are for liaison between Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the unit of the United States Customs and Excise Service at the United States embassy in London, concerning monitoring and controlling United Kingdom high technology exports, the operation of the COCOM agreements and other matters; and what is the strength of the United States unit.

Mr. Hayhoe

At present there are four representatives of the United States Customs Service accredited as attaches at the United States Embassy in London.

Their main channel of liaison is with the investigation division of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise with whom they maintain a very good working relationship. There is a regular and effective flow of information between the two Customs Services to assist in the enforcement of United Kingdom controls on the exportation of high technology and the operation of COCOM agreements. Liaison on the enforcement of other customs matters is through the same channels under the 1953 recommendation of the Customs Co-operation Council on mutual assistance between customs services.