Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 30 October 1947.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Walter Bromley-Davenport
, Knutsford
12:00,
30 October 1947
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what is to be the number of staff engaged to examine and censor letters and parcels in connection with the Exchange Control Act; whether he will give a precise indication of the limitations which "will be imposed on the activities of the examining staff; and whether he will give an assurance that they will take no other action on the letters they open except in connection with the Exchange Control Act.
Mr William Hall
, Colne Valley
About a dozen officials directed from other duties will be needed to strengthen the staff who keep the normal customs watch for smuggled and prohibited articles. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that in no circumstances is any action taken on letters they open, if they do not contain such articles.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
