§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the Beer Orders as a result of the report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review. [85105]
§ Dawn PrimaroloAmending the Beer Orders is not a straightforward matter. Customs are still considering the costs and benefits and will be reporting their conclusions to me in due course.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what consultations he has had with the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions about the effects on traffic and road safety of cross-channel smuggling and section 1.5.3 of the report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review; [85102]
(2) what assessment he has made of section 1.5.3 of the report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review and the effects on traffic and road safety of cross-channel smuggling. [85103]
§ Dawn PrimaroloCustoms work closely with the Traffic Commissioners, the Police and other agencies who tackle a range of enforcement issues through their joint exercises. The issues raised by section 1.5.3 of the report are among those addressed by such exercises.
§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the methodology used by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise for estimating the total volume of fraud and smuggling of alcohol and tobacco products. [85104]
§ Dawn PrimaroloHM Customs and Excise estimates of alcohol and tobacco smuggling by cross-channel and air passengers are based on data from Customs' own surveys of international passengers. The methodologies are detailed in a technical report placed by HM Customs and Excise in the House of Commons Library on 19 November 1998.