HER MAJESTY'S CUSTOMS STAFFING LEVELS AND COMBATING DRUG SMUGGLING

That this House welcomes the Government's Green Paper, Tackling Drugs Together, but expresses concern at recent Press reports of impending large scale cuts in Customs and Excise staffing levels, including around 600 anti-smuggling officers, which would be inconsistent with the Government's stated objective to get tough with drug smuggling; and therefore urges the Government to end Press speculation by publicly confirming that there will be no cuts in Customs staffing levels. (Relevant registered interest declared)