To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ships were searched by HM Revenue and Customs in UK ports in each of the last three years. (314539)

In April 2008, specialist search teams which were previously the responsibility of HM Revenue and Customs, became part of the UK Border Agency.

The number of ships searched in Northern Ireland ports, by these teams in the last three years, is as follows:

In addition to the searches carried out by these specialist teams, non-specialist UK Border Agency staff, including the Cutter fleet, also challenge and board commercial vessels arriving in UK ports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ships were searched by HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland ports in each of the last three years. (314540)

In April 2008, specialist search teams which were previously the responsibility of HM Revenue and Customs, became part of the UK Border Agency.

The number of ships searched in UK ports, by these teams in the last three years, is as follows:

In addition to the searches carried out by these specialist teams, non-specialist UK Border Agency staff, including the Cutter fleet, also challenge and board commercial vessels arriving in UK ports.