§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff of HM Customs and Excise were based in each county of the United Kingdom(a) in 1997 and (b) in 2001. [57540]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 20 May 2002]: Figures are not available in the form requested. Many Customs and Excise staff are not a static resource but highly mobile and deployed on a risk basis.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 90W, on customs officers, to what he attributes the rise in the proportion of complaints against HM Customs and Excise being upheld since 1997–98. [59098]
838W
§ Mr. BoatengSince 1996, Customs and Excise have increased their efforts to publicise their complaints system. The increase in the proportion of complaints upheld between 1997–98 and 1999–2000 followed accompanying measures taken internally to raise staff awareness of the value of complaints in improving customer service, and to improve training and guidance on handling them objectively.
The increase in the proportion of complaints upheld in 2000–01 reflects technical problems during the transition from regional advice centres to National Advice Service contract centres, resulting in some businesses facing delays in getting through to an adviser. Following the resolution of these problems, there has been a significant reduction in the number of recorded complaints.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the activities pursued by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise that have had a particular impact on the Isle of Wight since 7 June 2001. [58362]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 22 May 2002]: The full range of Customs and Excise controls and assurance activities, across the VAT, excise, customs and anti-smuggling regimes, apply equally to the Isle of Wight as to other parts of the UK.