§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with other EU countries on the problem of tobacco smuggling in Europe. [107497]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe problems of tax fraud and international criminality, including tobacco smuggling, are matters regularly included in discussions which I and other members of the Government have with counterparts in other EU member states. These are underpinned by frequent operational and other contacts between officials in both the UK and other member states, together with the Anti-Fraud Unit of the European Commission.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent reports he has received on the extent of(a) Mafia and (b) other criminal organisations' involvement in tobacco smuggling in Europe and on the centres of control and operation. [107499]
§ Dawn PrimaroloTreasury Ministers receive regular reports on tax fraud activity affecting a variety of sectors including tobacco. Some of this information is in the form of confidential and operationally sensitive advice, some is contained in published documents. A recent document in the latter category is the 1998 European Commission "Annual Report on the Fight Against Fraud" published on 19 November 1999, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.