§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when guidelines on the handling of informants were last revised; and what factors underlay the changes made; [160387]
(2) how much has been paid in total to informants in each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the number of payments made to informants within the ranger (a) £1,000-£9,000, (b) £10,000-£49,000, (c) £50,000-£99,000 and (d) £100,000 and over. [160371]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe guidelines for handling informants were last revised in October 2000 as a result of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. It is not Customs' policy to disclose information about the amounts paid to informants on the ground that this could undermine the effectiveness of law enforcement.
§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many Customs and Excise officers are suspended; and in which(a) divisions and (b) regions of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise they work; [160370]
(2) who is conducting the investigation into Peter Robinson; and if he will make a statement; [160385]
(3) how many Customs and Excise officers have been arrested in the last six years; how many of them have been charged; and with what offences. [160384]
§ Dawn PrimaroloInformation retating to Customs officers who have been arrested is not held centrally. The other information sought by my hon. Friend cannot be provided, in accordance with exemptions 4 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what investigations are planned into the activities of(a) John Haase, (b) Paul Bennett and (c) their handlers; [160386]
(2) when (a) Paul Bennett and (b) John Haase ceased to be registered informants; [160373]
(3) what reviews have been made of the convictions contingent upon the evidence of John Haase and Paul Bennett. [160388]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe persons named have not given evidence in any Customs prosecution. As a result of a joint customs/police investigation John Haase is now serving 13 years for his part in a conspiracy to supply drugs and guns. No further investigations are planned. It is not policy to confirm or deny whether any person is or has been an informant.