§ Norman BakerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on how many occasions since 1 January 2001 brigading teams have been sent to Newhaven; how many person-shifts were undertaken there by officers based elsewhere; and if he will make a statement;[45878]
(2) what percentage of ships arriving in Newhaven since 1 January 2001 have been subject to customs checks; and of those occasions, what percentage resulted in the discovery of (a) illicit tobacco, (b) illicit alcohol, (c) class A drugs, (d) wildlife products contrary to the terms of CITES and (e) illicit meat; and what has been the value of produce seized in each category; [45877]
856W(3) what plans there are to alter shift patterns amongst customs officers at Newhaven; and what the financial consequences of these changes will be; [45875]
(4) how many operational customs officers, excluding those undertaking purely office-based functions, are based at Newhaven. [45879]
§ Mr. Boateng[holding answers 25 March 2002]: It is not Customs law enforcement policy to disclose information on operational deployments of staff or the level or nature of checks at specific locations. However, the deployment, activities and working patterns of Customs staff at Newhaven and other locations are kept under constant review to ensure the most effective and efficient targeting of resources. Since January 2001, Customs officers operating at Newhaven have seized smuggled tobacco products with a total revenue value of around £215,500. Full details of Customs' seizures are published on a routine basis in their Departmental annual reports.