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Alcohol Smuggling
Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to combat the rise in smuggling of alcohol. [117348]
Dawn Primarolo:
Following the March Budget, I announced a further £209 million for Customs to clamp down on excise smuggling. This will enable them to employ nearly 1,000 extra Customs officers, working at ports and inland, including additional special investigators and intelligence staff.
4 Apr 2000 : Column: 463W
Within this figure an amount of £23 million will be allocated for Customs to fund a national network of x-ray scanners designed to detect smuggling in freight.
Mr. John Smith:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct HM Customs and Excise to provide the same information on the relevant background
4 Apr 2000 : Column: 464W
of imported motor vehicles to independent importers as it does to major car manufacturers and suppliers. [117568]
Dawn Primarolo:
I can confirm that Customs do already provide the same information on importation procedures to both independent importers and major car manufacturers and suppliers alike. Full details are contained in their public notices and integrated Tariff. UK and EC law however precludes Customs from disclosing to third parties any confidential information which they hold in relation to a trader's business.