§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is HM Customs and Excise's(a) current and (b) target detection rate for tobacco smuggling. [36560]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 10 July 1996]: In the year to 31 May excise verification officers detected single market excise offences with a revenue value of some £13 million, of which £6.1 million related to tobacco goods. The EVOs, target for the financial year to 31 March 1997 is £14 million for all types of excise goods; there is no separates target for tobacco goods.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls have been received on HM Customs and Excise's "Bootleggers" hotline for reporting tobacco smuggling; and how many prosecutions have been effected as a result of that hotline. [36561]
Mr. Heatcoat-Amory[holding answer 10 July 1996]: The Excise anti-smuggling hotline—0800 901 901—is a freephone, 24-hour, confidential service which has received 4,206 calls in the two years of its operation to 31 May 1996. The great majority of cases are dealt with by imposing a civil penalty rather than by prosecution and Customs' records are not held in a manner which indicates the number of hotline calls that result in prosecution.
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