Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present estimated annual value of revenue lost to the Exchequer because of illicit cross-border trade in alcoholic and tobacco products. [80]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryBy its nature, the scale of illicit cross-border trade in alcohol and tobacco is very difficult to assess. Reliable figures are not available. Officials are working closely with United Kingdom trade representatives to determine whether a satisfactory method of estimating the value of this trade can be developed.