3rd Report - Fuel laundering and smuggling in Northern Ireland (Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence)

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

HMRC's response for the Government says it "shares the Committee view" that fuel fraud is a serious problem and "agrees" that tackling organised crime, including fuel fraud, must remain a high priority.

• On the call for HMRC to make a more concerted effort, the Government "notes the Committee's comments" and says oils fraud is a joint top priority with tobacco fraud for criminal investigation in Northern Ireland, with additional criminal investigation staff there.
• On cross-border and UK-wide co-operation, the Government "agrees" it is "of paramount importance". It reports HMRC closed and dismantled 31 large scale laundering plants between April 2011 and March 2012.
• On a new marker, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Irish Revenue Commissioners has been signed, but the timetable is described as "indicative" and the Government says "there can be no guarantee a better marker will be found".
• HMRC is "exploring the scope for a voluntary pilot of a strengthened current marker in Northern Ireland starting in July". On the Committee's intention to invite HMRC and HM Treasury to appear, the Government "notes" it.

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