§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many staff posts and how much money is being transferred to HM Customs, and to the Department of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs in view of the transfer to HM Customs of responsibility for controls of ports over the import of plant and animal products; [88432]
(2) what additional (a) manpower and (b) financial provision he is making available to HM Customs and Excise to equip them to carry out their new responsibilities in respect of the import of plant and animal products; [88430]
(3) what targets he has set for HM Customs and Excise in respect of their new responsibilities to control the import of plant and animal products. [88431]
§ John HealeyThe recent government spending review made available £5 million of new money in 2003–4 and £10 million per annum in the subsequent two years to address the issue of illegal imports of plant and animal products.
Manpower and other financial resources to be made available to Customs in respect of their new responsibilities in this area, together with the nature of targets to be achieved, are still the subject of discussions between Defra, Customs and other relevant Departments and Agencies.