§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many smuggling operations have been broken up in each year since 1987; and what estimate he has made of the extent of smuggling. [19857]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryNo statistics are available for years prior to 1990. The number of smuggling organisations which have been broken up as a result of the work of the Customs and Excise investigation division in each year since then is as follows:
- 1990–91: 180
- 1991–92: 183
- 1992–93: 178
- 1993–94: 188
- 1994–95: 172
There are too many uncertainties to form any reliable estimate of the extent of smuggling of prohibited or restricted goods. Customs and Excise is at present working with the drinks and tobacco industries to improve estimates of the extent of smuggling of excise duty goods.