Treasury written question – answered at on 25 October 2007.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs officers (a) there were and (b) were withdrawn in the South West in each of the last five years.
HM Revenue and Customs currently have approximately 4,500 frontline officers deployed to tackle smuggling at the frontier on an intelligence-led basis where risk is greatest.
HM Revenue and Customs do not disclose the numbers of staff deployed to specific locations, as to do so would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.
Yes0 people think so
No4 people think not
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Annotations
Chris Senior
Posted on 13 Nov 2007 10:09 am (Report this annotation)
Standard Departmental non-speak!
"Intelligence led basis where risk is greatest" is management speak for "We have given up on our responsibility to protect the public by properly staffing our borders because the Treasury bean counters want more staff cuts and unless we comply we will not get promoted and a knighthood when we retire, but we need an excuse or a phrase to protect those idiot politicians and to fob off tame journalists and give the public false hope!"