HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 c276W
16. Mr. William Ross

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was obtained by seizures of smuggled road fuel in Northern Ireland during the financial year 2000–01; and what the total estimated loss in revenue from cross-border fuel smuggling in Northern Ireland was during this period. [159894]

Mr. Timms

The amount of fuel seized in 2000–01 was more than doable the previous year, safeguarding revenue of over £850,000. Customs does not have an estimate for revenue lost specifically from cross-border fuel smuggling for this period, but the number of vehicles seized was tripled last year through the enhanced enforcement action and the number of laundering plants hit rose more than fivefold.