HC Deb 11 May 1993 vol 224 c400W
Mr. John Townend

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken against the individuals discovered abusing the indicative levels for alcohol by trying to commercialise their purchases.

Sir John Cope

During the quarter ending 31 March, there were 230 detections of tobacco and alcohol illegally offered or intended for sale in the United Kingdom. The following action has been taken:

Action Number of Cases
Arrest and charge 11
Reported for prosecution or compounding 116
Seizures of goods only 103

Thirty-four vehicles were also seized. All detections have been included even where the quantities involved were less than the indicative levels, which are only a guide. Separate figures to exclude those cases involving tobacco goods only are not readily available.