| Description | Refers to the debate in the House of Lords in November 1921, on the Safeguarding Industries Act 1921, where it was alleged that because of this Act and the German Reparation (Recovery) Act that hardship is being caused to scientific workers and institutions. Explains that the Government is considering making some arrangement whereby research supplies arriving from abroad could be cleared through Customs with the least possible delay.
Suggests a scheme where scientific institutions could make a standing deposit with the Customs at the Parcel Post Depot to cover the Reparation Levy and Key Industry Duty on goods for (say) a month, and then get the foreign firm to mark the parcel with distinguishing marks and enclose a duplicate invoice which would be earmarked against the deposit. This way post could be delivered immediately, and once the proper invoice and remittance were sent from the institution in England, the deposit would be set free again.
Also suggests that institutions and scientific societies should act as agents for transmitting consignments from abroad to individual members.
Asks if the Royal Society wishes to adopt this proposal. |