§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate on average the number of(a) cigarettes, (b) cigars and (c) packets of hand-rolling tobacco smuggled each day into the United Kingdom in the last 12 months; [145874]
(2) if he will estimate on average the number of (a) pints of beers and cider, (b) bottles of Scotch whisky, (c) bottles of London gin and (d) other spirits smuggled each day into the United Kingdom in the last 12 months;[145876]
(3) if he will estimate the revenue lost to the Exchequer through (a) smuggling of (i) alcohol and (ii) tobacco in 2000 and (b) cross-border shopping for (1) alcohol and (2) tobacco in 1999. [145877]
710W
§ Dawn PrimaroloEstimates of the scale of alcohol and tobacco smuggling in 2000 are being worked on and will be published in due course.
§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the results of the Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling Survey of June 2000 have not been published; and if he will place a copy of the results in the Library. [145875]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe cross-Channel survey is used to assess the volume of smuggling undertaken annually by travellers using light vehicles or on foot. For 1999 overall figures were produced for the total revenue loss from all forms of tobacco smuggling. Comparable figures for 2000 are being prepared and will be published in due course. These will include the results of the June 2000 survey.