To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs customs officers were employed combating (a) missing trader intra-community and (b) excise fraud in each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement. (174515)

There are no separate group of staff identified as “customs officers”.

The full-time equivalents (FYE) of staff employed to tackle missing trader intra-community fraud for 2005-06 to 2006-07 and fraud in alcohol, oils and tobacco for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are shown in the following table (figures for 2003-04 to 2004-05 are not available).