Written question asked by Jackie Lawrence (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 July 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 July 2001. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Thursday, 19 July 2001 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to tackle excise fraud. - Includes ref to excise duty collection report and the Governments response to Cm 5239.

Answer: Mrs. Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to tackle excise fraud. [6184] Dawn Primarolo: Since 1997 the Government have taken firm action to tackle excise fraud. In June 2000, the Government commissioned an investigation into excise duty collection in HM Customs and Excise. The investigation was conducted by Mr. John Roques, former senior partner of Deloitte Touche. His report and the Government's response to it have today been laid before Parliament (as Cm 5239). I understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General is also publishing a report on the same issue today.

Secondary information