§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the(a) tonnage, (b) retail value, (c) excise duty content and (d) liability for VAT of (1) petroleum products and (2) diesel products subject to cross border smuggling into Northern Ireland for each year since 1995. [60435]
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vehicles have been impounded by HM Customs and Excise for alleged smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and what was the tonnage of fuel carried for each of the last three years. [60637]
§ Dawn PrimaroloIn 1998 to date, 48 vehicles have been seized by Customs for alleged smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland. In addition 412,598 litres of fuel have been seized, with admission of smuggling of a further 24,195,569 litres.
The problem of petroleum smuggling into Northern Ireland has been evident only since late 1997 and indeed this is the reverse of the situation which existed a few years ago when people from the Republic of Ireland would travel to Northern Ireland to purchase cheaper fuel. There were no seizures of vehicles or fuel in years prior to 1998.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful prosecutions there have been in 1998 for smuggling petroleum products into Northern Ireland. [60436]
§ Ms HewittThere have been 2 successful prosecutions to date, with a further 10 cases with the Director of Public Prosecutions (Northern Ireland) awaiting trial. The successful prosecutions resulted in a fine of £3,500 and an 18 months suspended sentence. In addition, arrears of £500,000 of duty were recovered and costs of £25,000 awarded.
In 1998 to date, Customs have seized 48 vehicles and 412,598 litres of fuel, with admissions of smuggling a further 24,195,569 litres. A total of 25 people have been arrested and 6 cases have been the subject of compound penalties to a total of £59,300 and arrears of duty of £200,000. Wherever possible, cases are progressed with a view to criminal prosecution of the individuals involved.
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§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful prosecutions there have been in each of the last three years for smuggling petroleum products into Northern Ireland. [60636]
§ Ms HewittThese have been two successful prosecutions in 1998 to date, with a further ten cases with a Director of Public Prosecutions (Northern Ireland) awaiting trial. The successful prosecutions resulted in a fine of £3,500 and an 18 months suspended sentence. In addition arrears of £500,000 of duty were recovered and costs of £25,000 awarded.
The problem of petroleum smuggling into Northern Ireland has been evident only since 1997 and indeed this is the reverse of situation which existed a few years ago when people from the Republic of Ireland would travel to Northern Ireland to purchase cheaper fuel. There were no prosecutions for smuggling of petroleum in years prior to 1998.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons his Ministers have declined to meet the President and officers of the Petrol Retailers Association to discuss petroleum smuggling in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [60639]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Petrol Retailers have met with officials, and with Customs staff in Northern Ireland. Ministers have been fully briefed by officials and are aware of the representations that have been made.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to tackle cross-border smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [60638]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Government and Customs are both aware of this problem and recognise that it is serious in revenue terms and, just as importantly, disadvantages legitimate traders. Customs are deploying resources and actively mounting investigations against those involved to counter the threat posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community.
Cross-border issues such as this are common throughout the European Union and are a powerful argument for the programme to harmonise further duty rates between Member States. One of the ways to achieve this is by increasing EU minimum rates and this Government continue to press for this.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings have taken place between Ministers or officials and their Irish counterparts to discuss the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [60635]
§ Dawn PrimaroloNo meetings have taken place between Ministers and their Irish counterparts to discuss the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland. However, meetings have taken place between operational staff. Where inquiries have extended to the Republic of Ireland jurisdiction requests have been made by Customs under the Convention for Mutual Assistance between Member States of the EU to the Irish Customs Investigation Branch for discovery of documentation at premises of oils suppliers in the Republic of Ireland to support intended criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland.