asked· the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has recently been drawn to the increased amount of smuggling taking place on the South and East Coasts; and whether his Department are taking special precautions to prevent it?

My attention has already been drawn to various reports in the Press on this subject, and such action as is deemed necessary has been taken.

Have any inquiries been made of the responsible journalist who wrote these articles, and said he was on the boat and saw this going on?

Has the hon. Gentleman any official knowledge or information that some smuggling is actually taking place?

Whatever action is necessary is being taken, but it is not desirable to go into details.