§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost was in 2000 of the Customs and Excise staff, vehicles and equipment used to combat the smuggling of motor Fuel products into Northern Ireland; and how much excise duty he estimates was lost as a result of such smuggling .[153428]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 12 March 2001]: The annual cost of Customs and Excise staff in Northern Ireland tackling all criminal activity affecting its areas of responsibilities was £3.3 million in 2000.
Customs and Excise do not have an estimate of excise duty lost through smuggling of motor fuel products in 2000.