§ Miss Geraldine SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action HM Customs and Excise is taking to prevent the illegal import and sale of tobacco products. [50728]
§ Dawn PrimaroloCustoms deploy anti-smuggling staff and specialist Excise Verification Officers to tackle, as a priority, the smuggling and onward sale of illicit excise goods, including tobacco products both at the frontier and inland. These officers are supported by specialist intelligence and investigation staff and work closely with other agencies such as the police and the Benefit Agency in dealing with offenders. Customs detections of illicit tobacco products increased from £17.7 million (duty evaded) in 1996–97 to £41.8 million in 1997–98.
Tougher policies on prosecution and restoration of seized vehicles of offenders were introduced in April. In addition the Comprehensive Spending Review has given additional funding to Customs to implement the recommendations of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review, which I asked Customs to undertake in 504W consultation with the trade to consider how to tackle this serious problem. Further details of this will be published shortly.
§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised from each of the taxes payable on each category of tobacco products in the last year for which figures are available. [51484]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe amount of revenue raised in the financial year 1997–98 for each of the taxes payable on each category of tobacco products were:
£ million Excise duty VAT Cigarettes 8,009.7 1,830 Cigars 139.8 135 Hand rolling tobacco 158.1 Other smoking and chewing tobacco 48.4 Notes:
1. Excise duty receipts are provisional.
2. Value Added Tax has been estimated from Office for National Statistics figures for consumers expenditure on cigarettes and other tobacco. No separate figures are available for the amount of VAT raised on cigars, hand rolling and other smoking and chewing tobacco.