§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the practice of Customs and Excise in respect of sending large denomination cheques through the post;
(2) what security procedures are adopted to protect cheques sent by post by Customs and Excise.
§ Sir John CopeCustoms continually encourages businesses to provide it with bank account details so that repayments can be electronically transferred. However, not all traders yet take advantage of that facility and almost 1 million payable orders, with a total value in excess of £7 billion, are issued each year by first-class post.
In conjunction with Her Majesty's Treasury, customs has been taking steps to increase even further the security measures for payable orders. These include higher levels of security printing so as to make alteration of the payee's name more difficult.
§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement regarding the repayment of £1 million to the London borough of Haringey by Customs and Excise;
(2) what steps are being taken by Customs and Excise to recover £1 million misappropriated en route to the London borough of Haringey.
§ Sir John CopeThe payment of £1 million to Haringey borough council was in respect of a claim by it for a lost payable order of £1,156,806.10, plus interest and repayment supplement. Settlement of the claim was made on the basis of advice from counsel and the full agreement of the parties involved.
Inquiries into the case, by the police and customs, are still continuing.