asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs and Excise personnel are engaged in Northern Ireland in the control of points of entry by land, sea and air, respectively; and, in view of the duties and powers given to them under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1974, what increases he proposes in their numbers.

The numbers are 232, 60 and 7 respectively. Customs and Excise officers carry out immigration functions only at a small number of Northern Irish seaports and no staff increases are at present contemplated.