Customs Service, Lowestoft (Hansard, 18 March 1991)

§ Mr. David Porter
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the Customs service at Lowestoft with effect from 1 January 1992.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
The Customs office at Lowestoft is a sub-office of Great Yarmouth Customs office. It is staffed by three officers whose main duties involve anti-smuggling controls.
Following a departmental strategic review by Customs on its approach to anti-smuggling work the emphasis is now on deploying resources in a more versatile way with the creation of flexible anti-smuggling teams. It is the intention, therefore, to close the Lowestoft office at about the end of 1992 and cover the work from Great Yarmouth which is 10 miles away.
Before the transfer of the small amount of work which is not anti-smuggling takes place, Customs will consult the Lowestoft port users to discuss alternative arrangements required after the office closes.

§ Mr. David Porter
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to modify the present arrangements for customs clearance at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth after 1991; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
I refer my hon. Friend to my replies to his questions on the future of the Customs service at Lowestoft and studies by Customs with particular reference to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

§ Mr. David Porter
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on studies his Department has carried out on the Customs service between Grimsby and Felixstowe, with particular reference to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard
No studies have been carried out which are solely concerned with the Customs service between Grimsby and Felixstowe.
A nationwide study, which includes East Anglia, is being undertaken as part of a current review of the Customs control of non-EC freight traffic after 1993. This study is not yet concluded.
I also refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question on the proposed closure of the Lowestoft Customs office following a strategic review by Customs of its approach to anti-smuggling work.