§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what(a) budgets have been agreed and (b) costs have been incurred in fulfilling HM Customs and Excise obligations in respect of ports and airports (i) in the south east of England and (ii) elsewhere for each of the last six years for which records are available; [150983]
(2) how much HM Customs and Excise has spent on (a) travel, (b) accommodation, (c) subsistence and (d) other costs in respect of the establishment of mobile teams to support its work at ports and airports in (i) the south east of England and (ii) elsewhere for each of the last six years for which records are available; [150984]
(3) what budget has been agreed for the creation of mobile Customs and Excise teams to cover ports and airports; and how much has been budgeted for (a) travel costs, (b) accommodation, (c) subsistence allowance and (d) other costs related to the expense of establishing the service and re-deploying staff. [150987]
§ John Healey[holding answer 26 January 2004]: HM Customs and Excise reorganised in April 2001, creating a Law Enforcement (LE) arm of approximately 7,500 officers. LE staff perform the majority of Customs operational activity at ports and airports in the UK. One of the aims of this restructuring and the subsequent LE business plan for 2003 to 2006 is to build a more intelligence-led, mobile and flexible workforce. The south region includes the south-east, south-west and central southern England.
The following table gives the authorised expenditure of the LE organisation on salaries, travel and subsistence and other running costs. These costs exclude the intelligence operational arm which is not managed on a comparable regional basis. Comparative data are not available for the years prior to the creation of Law Enforcement.
568W
£ million Authorised regional spend of which: Travel and subsistence1 2001–02 outturn South region 62.9 2.3 Elsewhere 148.9 7.7 2002–03 outturn South region 63.9 2.3 Elsewhere 144.3 8.4 2003–04 forecast South region 62.4 2.5 Elsewhere 143.7 8.2 1 Includes costs for travel, temporary accommodation and subsistence costs. Note:
Separate figures are not available in the format requested.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Acting Chairman of HM Customs and Excise will reply to the letter of 27 October 2003 from the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham about the Chalfont St. Giles Bowling Club. [152185]
§ John HealeyCustoms and Excise replied to the hon. Member's letter on 29 January 2004.