§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the custom houses in the south of England; on what date each opened; and how many staff are based in each; [67624]
(2) what plans he has to (a) reorganise and (b) close custom houses in the south of England; and if he will make a statement; [67626]
(3) if he will list the custom houses in the south of England which have closed since 1997; when each (a) opened and (b) closed; and how many staff were based in each in that year. [67625]
§ John Healey[holding answer 8 July 2002]: Only a small proportion of existing Customs and Excise properties are known as Custom Houses. The name is usually an historical one and does not relate to the specific functions carried out in the buildings.
Custom Houses in the South of England are located at Avonmouth, Falmouth, Gravesend, Heathrow, Isles of Scilly, London, Newhaven, Plymouth and Shoreham.
I regret that information on the dates they opened, and on buildings that have been closed in the last five years, is not readily available.
Customs and Excise keep their accommodation under constant review to ensure that it continues to meet their operational needs and is organised in the most cost-effective way. Of the Custom Houses listed above the only ones where plans for change are under active consideration are Falmouth, where the lease is due to expire, and the Isles of Scilly, following the proposed withdrawal of the Customs permanent presence there in September.
We do not provide information on staffing levels at specific locations for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 837W.