What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on steps to tackle fuel smuggling in Northern Ireland.

Tackling fuel crime is a key Government priority. Law enforcement agencies in the Organised Crime Task Force are working to disrupt fuel fraudsters, bring them to court and confiscate their criminal assets.

Will the Minister tell the House who is responsible for investigating smuggling, which involves a loss to the Exchequer of £200 million a year? Is it London or Belfast?

The Organised Crime Task Force in Northern Ireland is an excellent initiative that brings all law enforcement agencies together-Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. It is increasingly important that they work with their counterparts from the Republic of Ireland-the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Revenue Commissioners-because it is by working together that we can best bring to justice the people who perpetrate these dreadful crimes.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to stop the smuggling would be to reduce the price of fuel in the UK and not introduce the 3p levy?

My hon. Friend makes a late bid with regard to the business that will come later. On reducing opportunities for fuel smuggling, it is important that the price of fuel is now virtually the same in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. That reduces the incentive for fuel smuggling, but it encourages fraudsters to consider other kinds of fuel fraud, especially fuel laundering, which is why the Organised Crime Task Force must continue to pursue the issue with great vigour.