HL Deb 06 October 2003 vol 653 cc34-5WA
Lord Rotherwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many additional mobile anti-smuggling detection teams and trained dogs have been deployed by HM Customs and Excise since 11 April when it took over responsibility for anti-smuggling controls on meat. [HL4413]

Lord Mclntosh of Haringey

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to his Question on 10 June (HL 3103)(Official Report, col. WA 26). Since then two of the new teams have begun operations. Customs continues to redeploy existing teams until the remaining appointments have been made. The additional dog teams commence training in November and will be operational early in 2004.