§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many flexible anti-smuggling teams have been established; and what plans he has to establish more in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [31098]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe composition of flexible anti-smuggling teams varies from place to place and time to time according to Customs assessment of the resources needed to carry out controls. Consequently the number of teams is not meaningful.
Approximately 2,250 officers are currently deployed on anti-smuggling duties. There are no plans to increase this number in 1996–97 or 1997–98.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many brigades have been established to tackle drug smuggling; and what plans he has to establish more in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [31097]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryIn anti-smuggling terms, brigades are not forces additional to normal anti-smuggling complement. They are forces assembled temporarily on a local basis, and deployed outside their normal operational area to address specific targets or to test risk. Consequently they are not formally established and the question of numbers of brigades does not arise.