§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was(a) the total expenditure on HM Customs and Excise and (b) the total expenditure on counter-fraud work within HM Customs and Excise in the last year for which figures are available. [21732]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 10 December 2001]: Many Customs and Excise activities play an important part in countering fraud, including tax control work, debt collection and publicity. However, since 1 April 2001 the Department's restructured Law Enforcement function has had prime responsibility for tackling indirect tax fraud, drugs smuggling and the range of other criminal matters assigned to Customs and Excise. Many Customs Law Enforcement officers have a multi-functional role, tackling both tax fraud and non-tax criminality.
Because of restructuring, it is not possible to provide equivalent figures for earlier years, but in 2001–02 the Law Enforcement function of Customs and Excise has a budget of some £320 million current, and £40 million capital. The Customs and Excise voted departmental expenditure limit (as amended by the recent Winter Supplementary) is £1,122 million.