CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the(a) size of fleet and (b) type and age of vehicles was in each division of Customs and Excise in the last three years; [53478]
(2) what percentage of the vehicle fleet of Customs and Excise were equipped with online computer terminals in each of the last three years. [53477]
§ Mr. BoatengLike all their equipment and staff, Customs' vehicles are deployed in a flexible way based on the latest assessments of risk, rather than located exclusively in any one region. On a national basis, the total Customs' vehicle fleet has increased from 2,085 in 1999–2000 to 2,143 in 2001–02.
The average age of the vehicle fleet has remained constant at around 4.5 years. The proportions of different vehicle types which make up the fleet have also remained broadly constant with approximately 78.3 per cent. designated as cars, 8 per cent. as car-derived vans, 8.5 per cent. as light commercial vehicles and 5.2 per cent. as specialist/heavy goods vehicles.
The percentage of the vehicle fleet fitted with online computer terminals, used either for satellite navigation or covert tracking, has risen from approximately 3 per cent. in 1999–2000 to approximately 8 per cent. in 2001–02.
§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed at the HM Customs and Excise Coventry International Hub in each year since 1995. [58086]
§ Mr. BoatengHM Customs and Excise's station at Coventry International HUB opened in October 1999.
Staff employed (headcount) at the station in 2000, 2001 and 2002 (1 April each year) were as follows:
Number of staff employed 2000 63 2001 68 2002 59