§ Mr. Hillasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimated projections have been made of future manning levels of Customs and Excise staff at ports of entry to the United Kingdom; and what will be the anticpated effect on such figures of the increases in known heroin smuggling.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe planned levels of the total number of permanent staff in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are shown below for 31 March in each year:
Number 1985 25,500 1986 25,445 1987 25,245 1988 25,020 The investigation and prevention of drugs smuggling attracts the highest priority; manning levels at ports and airports will depend on the identification of high-risk areas and the growth of passenger and freight traffic.
The Government have already made clear their determination to deal with drugs abuse and, in particular, the problems caused by the illicit importation of heroin. In October last year, the Government announced that, in 1985–86, Customs preventive controls were to be increased by 100 new preventive posts and by making 60 temporary posts permanent.