§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the Financial Secretary to the Treasury declined to meet the officers of the Petrol Retailers Association to discuss the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [42885]
§ Dawn PrimaroloBoth the Chancellor and I have received representations from the Petrol Retailers Association via Northern Ireland MPs. These representations cover both the difference in the selling price of petrol and diesel in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and the illegal importations which are taking place as a result. The letters have received replies explaining the measures which are being taken to counter the threat posed by this illegal trade.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amounts of motor fuels by type sold in Northern Ireland in each quarter of 1997 and the first quarter of 1998. [42883]
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§ Dawn PrimaroloThe information is given in the table:
Deliveries tonnes Year Leaded petrol Unleaded petrol Diesel 1997 Quarter 1 35,515 88,670 91,479 Quarter 2 33,446 92,730 96,101 Quarter 3 25,181 82,349 76,361 Quarter 4 22,570 85,791 73,975 1998 Quarter 1 18,749 78,641 66,827 Note:
Figures supplied by Department of Trade and Industry
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations his Department has carried out into illegal importing of petroleum products from the Irish Republic into Great Britain in recent months. [42886]
§ Dawn PrimaroloHM Customs and Excise are deploying resources and actively mounting investigations against those involved in the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland to counter the threat posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community. HM Customs and Excise are taking the lead on this issue but are acting in conjunction with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, to make seizures of oil tankers and vehicles carrying oil tanks filled with illegally imported fuel for resale. Wherever possible, cases are progressed with a view to criminal prosecution of the individuals concerned.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to raise the issue of the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland at the ECOFIN meeting on 19 May; and if he will make a statement. [42882]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Chancellor did not raise the issue of the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland at the Ecofin meeting on 19 May.
Both the Government and HM Customs and Excise are aware of the situation with the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland for resale and recognise that it is a serious problem which disadvantages legitimate traders. HM Customs and Excise are deploying resources and actively mounting investigations against those involved to counter the threat posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Government of the Irish Republic on the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland. [42884]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland for resale is a problem of which the Government are aware. No offences are taking place within the Republic of Ireland where the fuel is sold legally and purchased duty paid. HM Customs and Excise are deploying resources and actively mounting investigations against those involved to counter the threat posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community. HM Customs and Excise are taking the lead on this issue but are acting in conjunction with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, to498W make seizures of oil tankers and vehicles carrying oil tanks filled with illegally imported fuel for resale. Wherever possible, cases are progressed with a view to criminal prosecution of the individuals concerned. Where inquiries have extended to the Republic of Ireland jurisdiction requests have been made by HM Customs and Excise under the Convention for Mutual Assistance between Member States of the EC to the Irish Customs Investigation Branch for discovery of documentation at premises of oils suppliers in the Republic of Ireland to support intended criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland.