Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on how many occasions a lottery retailing licence has been removed for selling illicit (a) cigarettes and (b) alcohol in each of the last 10 years.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Criminal Investigation (CI) is responsible for carrying out enforcement action to seize non duty paid alcohol and cigarettes, be they illicit or otherwise. Our Management Information (MI) does not differentiate between the different types of cigarettes or alcohol and we do not provide data on a regional basis, only national statistics. HMRC CI do record the number of arrests made but again this data is not differentiated between the different types of cigarettes or alcohol and we do not provide data on a regional basis only national statistics.

HMRC is not responsible for making an application to the courts for the revoking of a trader’s retail alcohol licence: that remains the responsibility of the appropriate Trading Standards office. Normally Trading Standards Officers will accompany HMRC CI officers when they visit a premises suspected of having non duty paid or illicit tobacco or alcohol products. If such products are found, then they can evidence the fact and take such action they deem appropriate. HMRC CI MI does not capture such referrals nor the results of any action that may be taken by the appropriate authority.

Similarly HMRC are not responsible for terminating a traders National Lottery Licence: that remains the responsibility of Camelot. Where HMRC CI seize non paid or illicit tobacco or alcohol products, there is a protocol for Camelot to be notified so they can take such action they deem appropriate. HMRC CI MI does not capture such referrals nor the results of any action that may be taken by the appropriate authority.