§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value and number of the vehicles confiscated from smugglers and bootleggers of tobacco and alcohol in each financial year since 1994; and how the vehicles have been disposed of. [45789]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI regret that figures on the value of these seized vehicles are not available.
In the past four financial years, Customs seized the following numbers of vehicles used in the carriage of smuggled alcohol and tobacco:
- 1994–95: 600
- 1995–96: 1,446
- 1996–97: 2,002
- 1997–98: 2,929.
Most vehicles seized are restored upon payment of a fee. In cases where restoration is not appropriate, vehicles are sold at auction or for scrap at their trade-in value; a small number may also be appropriated by Customs for operational use.
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what differences there have been in the types and characteristics of vehicles confiscated from smugglers 275W and bootleggers of tobacco and alcohol during the last year compared with those confiscated in previous years; and if he will make a statement. [45788]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI regret that no central record on the types and characteristics of vehicles seized from excise smugglers is kept by Customs.