§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans there are to establish a dedicated computerised intelligence network across Europe for the Customs service.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardA new customs information system—CIS—is being developed for use across the European Community. It is planned to use the existing system customs enforcement network—SCENT—as a carrier for the CIS, which is being developed in phases.
The first phase will be in place later this year, and will provide encrypted computer messaging facilities at all main ports and airports in the European Community. A central database will be added to this system in the second phase, providing specific intelligence about potential customs offences, and information on recent smuggling trends. In the light of experience from the first two phases, consideration will be given to enhancing the system to incorporate CIS facilities into national computer systems, with the possibility of eventually establishing a fully integrated system.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the start-up costs of the secure customs enforcement network; and what are its annual running costs since it became operational.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardOver the first three years of the system, commencing in 1986, EC Commission spending to launch the system totalled approximately 300,000 ecu. More recent figures from the Commission are not readily obtainable except at disproportionate cost.
The United Kingdom's Intervention Board executive agency recently installed a terminal at a total cost of £900.71, including first quarter running costs of £55.83.
Running costs for the Customs and Excise terminal have totaled £4,987.67 from the time of installation in late 1987 to 8 December 1991.
More recent or detailed figures are not available except at disproportionate cost.
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§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purpose of the secure customs enforcement network; when it was established; and which authorities have access to the system.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardSCENT was developed in response to increasing needs for exchange of information between customs operational investigation services in the European Community. It has an electronic encrypted mailing system, the facility to send messages to telex machines and it provides access to databases of reference information such as Lloyds Seadata. Initiated by the Commission towards the end of 1986, SCENT became operational from 1987 onwards.
Access to the system is strictly controlled, and limited to authorised users. Most terminals are used by customs services. Others are allocated to the Commission's directorate general XXI for work on customs questions or movements of drugs precursor chemicals and directorate general VI for common agricultural policy work. The United Kingdom Intervention Board executive agency and its equivalent bodies in other member states have access to the system. The other two users are the International Narcotics Control Board and the United Nations, which has one terminal.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many terminals are connected to the secure Customs enforcement network; and what plans there are to expand access to the system.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThere are currently 29 terminals in use, two of which are in the United Kingdom. It is planned to increase the total number of terminals to about 200, most of which should be installed by the end of 1992. Of these, 25 should be sited in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many passengers who are United Kingdom citizens returning from Brussels on the 18 February at Heathrow on flight BA 0397 were questioned by Customs and Excise; and what was the result of the questioning.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 24 February 1992]: I regret that the information requested is not available. Customs at Heathrow deal with large numbers of passengers and passengers from different sources pass through customs controls simultaneously. No record is kept of individual passenger challenges except where seizures or search of person result.