§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when he expects to reply to the questions, reference(a) 159955 and (b) 159956, tabled by the hon. Member for East Antrim on 8 March 2004; [172047]
(2) how many container loads of cigarettes have been reported stolen in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months for which records are available; [159956]
(3) what the (a) total number of cigarettes and (b) total amount of tobacco seized by Customs and Excise in Northern Ireland was in the last 12 months for which records are available. [159955]
§ Mr. PearsonI am sorry for the delay in replying.
Regarding the number of container loads of cigarettes stolen in Northern Ireland (question reference 159956), a substantial search of records is required to collate the information requested. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information once it is available. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
The total quantity of cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco seized by Customs in 2002–03 (question reference 159955) is set out in the Annual Report of the Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise published in December 2003, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library. The location of a seizure is by no means an indication of the location of the illicit market for which they are bound. Specifically in Northern Ireland in 2002–03 Customs seized 31.5 million cigarettes and 731 kilos of hand rolling tobacco.