§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress made in implementing the new IT infrastructure for HM Customs and Excise. [9184]
§ Mr. BoatengThe implementation of Customs' new IT infrastructure is proceeding to plan. By the end of October 2001, 16,000 personnel computers and laptops will have been installed in over 200 offices nationwide, accessible to more than 80 per cent. of Customs' staff.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of telephone calls to designated inquiry points in HM Customs and Excise were answered within 20 seconds in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 to the most recent date for which information is available. [9181]
§ Mr. BoatengIn the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 HM Customs and Excise answered 55 per cent. of calls to designated inquiry points within 20 seconds.
From 2 April 2001, Customs' new National Advice Service (a "virtual" call-centre linking six sites with a single inquiries number) has been in place to improve the speed and quality of responses to inquiries. By the half year point 60 per cent. of calls were answered within 20 seconds; and by the end of the financial year the Department expects to be answering 80 per cent. within that time.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of(a) the financial year 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 to the most recent date for which information is available, how many Customs officers have (i) been recruited by HM Customs and Excise, (ii) retired from HM Customs and Excise and (c) left HM Customs and Excise for reasons other than retirement. [9187]
444W
§ Mr. BoatengThere are no separate recruitment, retirement and resignation figures for staff employed on customs work. Staff for all areas of work in the Department are recruited through common recruitment arrangements.
§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will increase the number of Customs and Excise officers in the Orkney and Shetland Isles. [9220]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 23 October 2001]: There are no current plans to deploy additional staff in these locations. Staff deployments are kept constantly under review by the Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise and are based on risk and results.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs officers are in post at each port in the United Kingdom. [9186]
§ Mr. BoatengCustoms and Excise Law Enforcement comprises a Detection function of over 3,000 officers, an Investigation function of just under 2,000 officers and an Intelligence function of more than 1,000 officers. These officers are located at ports, airports, inland locations and in flexible national teams which can be deployed to any location. In addition there are just over 1,500 officers employed on the control of imported/exported goods covering all major ports and airports. Customs constantly review resource deployment in the light of risk and results. It is not Customs policy to identify actual staffing resources at individual locations as this may assist criminals in identifying Customs' operational methods and would enable them to bypass Customs' controls.