§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions there have been under the Customs and Excise Act; and what has been the average size of the fines imposed, and the number imprisoned in each year since 1974.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThis question could be answered only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort. However, the annual reports of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise publish combined totals of persons convicted and persons with whom settlements were made under section 288 of the Customs and Excise Act 1952; the number of persons imprisoned; and the totals of court fines, costs and section 288 settlements These are as follows: