}
(COPY) M24
C.O
118
42303
Custom House, London, E.C.
)(
O
180519. sc.
RECE
9th September, 1915.
REG 15 SEP 15
Sir,
I have laid before the Board of Customs and Excise your letter of the 23rd August (M.22239) in regard to the exportation of opium from this country.
The Board desire me to explain that they exercise no functions at all in regard to the manufacture or distribution of opium within the United Kingdom, and that they have therefore no power of controlling the operations of the agents through whom opium is alleged to be supplied to seamen or others to take out of the country. Moreover, under normal (peace) conditions there are no Customs restrictions on the exportation of the article.
Since the outbreak of the present war, opium has been placed on the list of articles which are prohibited to be exported, and the Officers of this Department are using their best endeavours to detect and prevent any attempt to export it without a licence from the Privy Council Office. At the same time, opium is an article which is easily adapted to smuggling, e.g. by conceal- ment in the baggage of passengers or in the personal effects of the crew, and the conditions obtaining at the departure of a ship do not admit of so thorough an examination of baggage etc. as is part of the ordinary Customs procedure in the case of an incoming ship. In these circumstances the Board cannot guarantee that the
vigilance of their Officers will not sometimes be evaded.
I am,
The Assistant Secretary,
(Marine Department)
Board of Trade.
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd) J. W. Train,
for Secretary