§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the estimate of the loss of revenue as a result of the evasion of duty and the loss of income from smuggling of (a) alcoholic drink; and (b) tobacco and tobacco products, in 1996 and in 1997;
What is the estimate of revenue lost from cross-border shopping in each of the last three years; and
What is the official estimate of the volume of hand rolling tobacco consumed in the United Kingdom which is either smuggled or purchased abroad.
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§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe following table sets out the Customs latest estimates of revenue losses (excise duty and VAT) through legitimate cross-border shopping in calendar years 1994 to 1996.
Revenue lost to the Exchequer from legitimate cross-border shopping £million 1996 1995 1994 235 230 230 The Customs estimate of the volume of hand rolling tobacco consumed in the United Kingdom, which is either smuggled or purchased abroad, is about 5,200 tonnes. This estimate is based on the Customs latest estimates for smuggling for 1997 and legitimate cross-border shopping for 1996. It does not take into account legitimate purchases of duty-free tobacco.
The table below sets out the Customs estimate of revenue losses (duty and VAT) to the Exchequer through smuggling of alcohol and tobacco in calendar years 1996 and 1997.
Revenue lost to the Exchequer from smuggling £million 1997 1996 Alcohol 195 195 Tobacco 690 640 Total 885 835 Revenue receipts include amounts for VAT estimated on the basis of ONS data on consumer expenditure.