§ Mr. VazTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics are kept on the(a) numbers, (b) sex arid (c) racial origin of persons stripped by customs officers at Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 9 July 1992]: Statistics on personal searches carried out each year by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are published in the annual report of the commissioners. Information is collated on the type of search—rub-down, strip or intimate—goods found at the time, appeals against search, and complaints but not on the sex or racial origin of persons searched.