§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Couchman) of 16 May,Official Report, column 295, if he will make a statement about the information on the regional distribution of duty-paid imports of beer given to him by the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, and the conclusions he has drawn from this information.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 21 June 1994]: Individuals from anywhere in the United Kingdom may purchase duty-paid beer for their own use in other member states of the European Union. We have not sought to verify information on the regional distribution of legal duty-paid imports on beer compiled by the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, although we have noted the conclusions.
§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Couchman) of 16 May,Official Report, column 295, if he will make a further statement on the involvement of organised crime in the illegal sale of duty-paid imports of beer.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 21 June 1994]: There is no evidence of large-scale organised crime being involved so far in this illegal activity. Anyone who has evidence of such activity should contact Customs and Excise.