Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to tackle instances where businesses circumvent sanctions on Belarus; and if he will meet with the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden to discuss this matter.
Answered by Victoria Atkins - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
HMRC is responsible for enforcing trade sanctions and investigating potential breaches of those controls.
We use a range of enforcement options such as education, warning letters, issuing compound settlements, seizures, disruptions and in the most serious of cases, referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration for prosecution.
We undertake a preliminary assessment into all credible intelligence/allegations of trade sanctions offences and work with other government departments and international partners to identify high-risk movements.
Any UK person or company that is in breach of trade sanctions potentially faces a heavy fine or imprisonment.