§ Mr. Proctorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the estimated value of goods confiscated by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in each of the last five years; what are the main categories of confiscated goods; and what is done with the goods once they have been confiscated by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise officers.
§ Mr. HayhoeInformation about goods seized over the last five years is contained in the revelant annual reports of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library. These show the categories of goods concerned and, where available, the value of the items seized.
Confiscated goods are wherever possible either sold or, in certain circumstances, restored to their previous owners on payment of restoration sums. Goods which cannot be sold or restored, such as drugs and obscene or indecent material, are destroyed.