§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many scanners to detect tobacco smuggling in freight containers are deployed by HM Customs and Excise; at which ports the scanners are located; and if he will make a statement. [9042]
§ Mr. BoatengCustoms have seven scanners in operation, another three will come into operation soon and a procurement exercise is in process to obtain more. It is Customs policy not to provide details of precise operational deployment. All Customs scanners are mobile and are deployed flexibly throughout the UK to ensure Customs can react to, and tackle, the smuggling threat as it changes.