HC Deb 24 March 1977 vol 928 c634W
28. Mr. Hurd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases during 1975 and 1976 Her Majesty's Customs and Excise agreed to compound alleged offences in accordance with 288(a) of the Customs and Excise Act 1952.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

It has not been the policy of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to publish separate details of the numbers of cases dealt with either by criminal proceedings or by settlement under section 288 before proceedings. Settlements under section 288 are most commonly made in respect of the large number of minor smuggling offences and exchange control offences detected at ports and airports.