Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Monday, 20 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Monday, 27 June 2005 on behalf of the Treasury.

Customs and Excise Fraud (Staff)

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding concerns about fraud by staff working for HM Customs and Excise in the past 20 years.

Answer: Since October 2000, representations and allegations of fraud or impropriety against officers of HM Customs and Excise have been referred to the Internal Investigation Division (IID). The IID has responsibility for dealing with criminal and disciplinary investigations in partnership with other law enforcement staff and the police. Prior to October 2000 such matters were referred to either internal investigators, external investigators or senior Departmental managers.

Secondary information