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Written Question
Tobacco: Smuggling
Monday 12th October 2015

Asked by: Mark Spencer (Conservative - Sherwood)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 210W, on tobacco: smuggling, how many people were convicted in relation to seizures made by the Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years.

Answered by Damian Hinds

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is not a prosecuting authority. Where cases handled by HMRC do proceed to the criminal courts the prosecution is carried out by the relevant independent prosecuting authority. This is the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England and Wales, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in Scotland, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI).

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2015
National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill

"Will the Minister comment on how successful the previous Government were in getting people into work? This policy is in addition to that record and will increase the number of people in employment, taking home a wage packet and providing for themselves...."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

View all Mark Spencer (Con - Sherwood) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2015
National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill

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Mark Spencer - View Speech

View all Mark Spencer (Con - Sherwood) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2015
National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill

"Does my hon. Friend agree that taking on staff constitutes a large responsibility for employers? They know that they are responsible not only for their employees’ health and safety, but for their future financial security, because the employees’ mortgages depend on their careers in the business. Anything that the Government …..."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

View all Mark Spencer (Con - Sherwood) contributions to the debate on: National Insurance Contributions (Rate Ceilings) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2015
Tax Credits

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Mark Spencer - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"Will my hon. Friend help me to understand his amendment 10? It appears to bar people who want to engage in the process by donating to the in or out campaign from doing so because of their business interests. For example, a large agricultural company that was receiving basic payment …..."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"Would the hon. Gentleman extend his remarks to other charities, such as animal welfare charities? Those might have a strong view on how our relationship with the EU affects their ability to do their work on animal welfare or ivory imports, for example...."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"I wonder whether my hon. Friend will clarify his remarks, because I think that amendment 10 could have unintended consequences. Many companies and businesses that have received European funding for a project, such as an extension to a factory to create more employment, would be barred from the process and …..."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"I acknowledge my hon. Friend’s cynicism about the Government taking a view one way or another, but does he accept that the Government could express their view neutrally and thereby help to inform the electorate? It is vital that the electorate are informed and can make a decision based on …..."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Jun 2015
European Union Referendum Bill

"Surely my hon. Friend will recognise that in the period before the referendum our relationship with the EU will still be fluid and there may be matters that need the attention of the Government and that could be crucial to an industry or sector of the economy. If he goes …..."
Mark Spencer - View Speech

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