HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 cc517-8W
Mrs. Dean

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he will take to make up for the loss of revenue caused by the smuggling of alcohol. [75491]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 8 March 1999]: Customs and Excise estimate that the revenue lost from the smuggling of alcohol in 1998 was £220 million, which is a little over 2 per cent. of total alcohol revenue receipts. Revenue leakage caused by smuggling and fraud is a factor that the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes into account when taking his Budget decisions.

The Government take all excise smuggling very seriously and are committed to tackling the problem. A comprehensive set of measures resulting from recommendations made in the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review is currently being implemented.