HC Deb 15 January 2001 vol 361 cc123-4W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons were prosecuted for offences relating to(a) tobacco and (b) alcohol smuggling in each year since 1990. [144834]

Dawn Primarolo

Customs prosecution records are not separated between tobacco and alcohol and are not held in this format. For the number of prosecutions generated by Excise Verification Officers for both alcohol and tobacco from 1994–95 to 1997–98 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 19 July 1998,Official Report, column 300W. The figure given in that answer for 1997–98 was corrected in the National Audit Office's "Appropriation Accounts 1997–98 (Volume 16: Class XVI, Departments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer)", p.1, which was published on 10 February 1999. The figures from 1998–99 to 1999–2000 are as follows:

Number
1998–99 575
1999–2000 645

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the measures recommended by the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review have been implemented; and if he will list the measures which (a) have been implemented and (b) remain to be implemented. [144836]

Dawn Primarolo

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 9 November 2000,Official Report, column 343W. A schedule reporting progress on each of the recommendations has been placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vehicles seized as a result of offences concerning alcohol and tobacco smuggling have been(a) confiscated and (b) restored to their owners in each year since 1990. [144835]

Dawn Primarolo

For the numbers of vehicles seized for excise offences from 1993–94 to 1997–98 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 18 June 1998,Official Report, column 274W. The figures from 1998–99 to 1999–2000 are as follows:

Year Number
1998–99 3,193
1999–2000 5,200

I regret the information on vehicle restoration is not kept. As part of the Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy launched in March 2000, Customs policy is now not to restore seized vehicles other than in the most exceptional circumstances.