§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether it is the policy of HM Customs to withhold from the media details of seizures, arrests, and subsequent charges. [92997]
995W(2) what gun and other ordnance seizures were made by HM Customs in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002, identifying (i) the weaponry seized, (ii) where it was seized, (iii) where the weaponry was hidden and (iv) subsequent arrests and charges; and what estimate he has made of the number of seizures where the weaponry was destined for organised crime gangs.[93006]
Number of illegal firearms seized by Customs and Excise Year ended 31 March Hand guns Rifles Shotguns Self defence Sprays Stun Guns Total 2000 417 95 129 1,169 101 1,911 2001 163 48 44 2,428 114 2,697 2002 304 111 219 1,237 144 2,015 The majority of seizures were made in various ports, airports and international parcel postal depots. No centrally held and readily accessible information is available on where the weapons were hidden or whether any detection involved criminal proceedings being instituted.
Figures for illegal firearms seized are not yet available for the period between April and November 2002, but within the overall totals since April 2002 Customs have made four significant seizures of consignments of guns believed to be destined for criminal use. Firearms seized total some 20 hand guns and 35 sub machine guns plus a quantity of ammunition and explosive. The cases are subject to continuing investigation by Police and Customs. Customs do not release information if there is a risk of prejudicing ongoing or future enquiries, as provided for by Exemptions 4 (Law enforcement and
Average house prices in rural local authorities by region, 1996–2002—at current prices (£) Region 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20021 East 68,789 75,031 81,929 90,250 104,986 118,988 139,817 East Midlands 64,383 68,442 74,321 80,404 89,915 99,631 115,919 North East 53,655 57,563 58,448 63,614 65,776 68,825 76,113 North West 59,356 63,177 65,935 70,950 75,636 82,354 91,781 South East 84,847 92,392 103,120 115,551 135,758 149,571 168,999 South West 71,674 77,565 84,515 94,136 108,854 122,187 144,183 West Midlands 71,383 77,854 84,089 91,416 100,481 114,167 131,626 Yorkshire and Humber 66,011 69,164 70,886 75,979 81,359 89,006 105,069 All England2 73,929 80,669 88,427 98,513 110,724 121,916 138,296 1Q1 to Q3 2Urban and Rural
996W
Average house prices in rural local authorities by region, 1996–2002—at constant 1996 prices (£) Region 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20021 East 68,789 72,744 76,799 83,321 94,136 104,783 121,652 East Midlands 64,383 66,356 69,667 74,230 80,623 87,737 100,859 North East 53,655 55,809 54,789 58,730 58,978 60,609 66,225 North West 59,356 61,252 61,806 65,502 67,819 72,523 79,857 South East 84,847 89,577 96,663 106,679 121,727 131,716 147,044 South West 71,674 75,201 79,223 86,908 97,605 107,600 125,451 West Midlands 71,383 75,481 78,824 84,397 90,096 100,538 114,526 (3) how many gun seizures there were at British ports by HM Customs between April 2002 and November 2002; how many arrests were made; and how many people were charged in connection with these seizures. [92979]
§ John HealeyUp to 31 March 2002, the period for which information is available, most seizures of firearms were regulatory breaches with little to suggest they were being imported for criminal purposes. Number of illegal firearms seized by Customs and Excise
legal proceedings) and 7 (Effective management and operations of the public service) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.