To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) public, (b) business and (c) community bodies which have been consulted regarding the strategic review of Customs and Excise offices in the north-west of Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [37229]

Customs has not consulted the public, business or community bodies regarding its strategic review of offices in the north-west of Scotland. Customs staff in these offices are largely involved in intelligence gathering and the prevention of drug smuggling and it would not be in the public interest for customs to discuss its plans in detail.There is no intention to erode the current level of trade facilitation given to business and ports in north-west Scotland. There will be consultation on this once the review has been completed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Customs and Excise offices which have closed since 1 January 1990. [37230]

The offices listed were closed in the period between 1 April 1990 and 1 October 1995. Because records are kept on the basis of the financial year, data are not available for the three months from January to March 1990. The operational and administrative functions in the offices closed were relocated either to new accommodation acquired for these functions or to existing departmental accommodation.