§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will review his policy on the permanent seizure of a vehicle used for the illegal importation of goods when the vehicle owner is unaware of such a use; and if he will make a statement; [5828]
(2) in what circumstances property used for the illegal importation of goods will be returned to its owner when the owner was found to be unaware of that use and is innocent of wrongdoing; [5829]
(3) if he will make it his policy to enable property belonging to a third party, which has been used without their knowledge for illegal importation of goods, to be restored to its rightful owner. [5664]
576W
§ Mr. BoatengThe decision whether to restore a seized vehicle to the registered owner and the terms of that restoration will depend upon the circumstances of each case. Anyone who has consented to the use of their vehicle by others accepts a variety of risks by doing so and should take all reasonable steps to ensure that it will not be used for smuggling. Customs will look sympathetically at any claim where the vehicle has clearly been taken without the permission of the owner, eg the vehicle was stolen and reported to the police prior to the seizure.