HC Deb 22 January 2001 vol 361 cc425-6W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated loss was to the Treasury of the smuggling of tobacco products for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [146106]

Dawn Primarolo

HMCE published estimates for revenue (excise duty and VAT) lost to the Exchequer through tobacco smuggling for the period 1996–99 in the "Tackling Tobacco Smuggling" document published on 22 March 2000. There are no estimates prior to 1996. The tobacco assessment for 2000 is in the process of being prepared and will be published in due course.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further measures he proposes to combat tobacco smuggling from countries(a) within and (b) outside the EU; and if he will make a statement. [146105]

Dawn Primarolo

On 22 March 2000 I announced the `Tackling Tobacco Smuggling' strategy and a £209 million investment to implement it. The strategy is designed to reverse the growth in tobacco smuggling into the UK within three years and reduce it below current levels in the longer term.

A copy of the strategy document can be found in the Library of the House.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of(a) cigarettes and (b) other tobacco products sold in the United Kingdom he estimates are smuggled into the United Kingdom from countries (i) within and (ii) outside the EU; and if he will make a statement. [146104]

Dawn Primarolo

The Government's "Tackling Tobacco Smuggling" strategy, published on 22 March 2000, provides a breakdown of revenue loss by the methods by which cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco are smuggled into the United Kingdom.

The Government's strategy aims to put cigarette smuggling, regardless of where it is sourced, into decline.