§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has that will affect the disposition of customs staff presently based in Devon and Cornwall; and if he will make a statement. [104872]
§ John HealeyI wrote to my hon. Friend on 6 March about Customs business plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06. For Customs to achieve their agreed public commitments on drugs, tobacco and VAT, they will deploy their resources differently by refocusing them in ways to produce the highest impact and outcomes.
In the Falmouth area, Customs are proposing a shift from fixed-location staffing to more flexible deployment in teams which will tackle fraud and smuggling in Falmouth and more widely across the south.