§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many smugglers' vehicles were(a) seized 626W and (b) restored to their owners by HM Customs and Excise in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02 to the latest date for which information is available. [9188]
§ Mr. BoatengFigures for the number of vehicles seized by Customs during 2000–01 are contained in the Government's response to the independent report by John Roques into "The Collection of Excise Duties in HM Customs and Excise", House of Commons, Command 5329, July 2001, a copy of which was placed in the Library on 19 July. Information on the number of vehicles which were restored is not available. The number of vehicles Customs seize from smugglers during 2001–02 will be published on a full financial year basis during 2002–03.