§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the answer given on 11 June 1979 to the hon. Member for Birkenhead on the number of prosecutions under the Customs and Excise Act.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply,21 May 1981. c. 128]: The following information shows to the latest available date combined totals of persons convicted and persons with whom settlements were made under section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979*, the number of persons imprisoned, and the totals of court fines, costs and section 152 settlements:
Year Convictions and settlements Persons imprisoned Court fines, costs and section 152 settlements £000 1977–78 23,170 461 4,342.3 1978–79 27,062 385 4,501.0 1979–80 20,247 449 3,655.8 * The relevant provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 1952 were consolidated in the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.