§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officers in Customs and Excise are engaged in the enforcement of the regulations relating to the import of beers, wines and spirits from European Community countries.
§ Sir John CopeCustoms and Excise have 292 officers employed on single market activities. Their duties include the control of registered excise dealers and shippers and the protection of legitimate trade by verifying that goods imported from other EC countries for commercial purposes are charged with any United Kingdom duty and VAT which is payable.
554WThe number of deposits under £10 is not available for periods before 1992. Customer deposits for 1992 and the estimated figures for January to September 1993 are as follows:
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions there have been since 1 January for breaches of the law covering import of beers, wines and spirits from Community countries; and what was the value of the goods involved.
§ Sir John CopeCustoms and Excise have prosecuted four individuals since 1 January for breaches of the law covering the import of beers, wines and spirits from other EC countries. The total amount of revenue involved was £4,299.44. There are 108 other cases involving excise goods generally—for example, alcoholic liquors and tobacco products—for which prosecution proceedings have been instituted but not yet brought to a conclusion.