§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Solicitor-General what recent assessment she has made of the work of the Serious Fraud Office; and if she will make a statement. [146163]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe Attorney-General and I meet the SFO Director on a regular (almost monthly) basis and on other occasions as required. These meetings are wide ranging and include casework, management and financial issues.
As well as our on-going contact the Director of the SFO is required to present the SFO's Annual Report to Parliament. The report details progress and performance of the SFO's operational activities. In addition the audited accounts of the SFO are laid before Parliament annually.
1001WThe SFO continues to provide an effective response to the most serious and complex frauds. Since its inception the SFO has convicted 71 per cent. of defendants who were charged.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Solicitor-General how many(a) offences of fraud and (b) serious frauds, involving breaches of trust by professionals, were reported to the Serious Fraud Office in each of the last three years; how many prosecutions were initiated; what the outcome was in each case; and if she will make a statement. [146164]
§ The Solicitor GeneralThe SFO does not routinely record the professions of individuals reported to them. The specific information requested could be produced only at disproportionate costs. It is however the case that the SFO has in the past and will continue to prosecute, where appropriate, professionals such as lawyers and accountants for fraud offences which meet the Department's criteria for acceptance of a case.
An ad hoc inspection of files reveals that since 1 January 2001 the SFO has commenced at least 10 investigations where one or more of the suspects is a qualified accountant or lawyer. In the cases identified there are total of 14 accountants or lawyers who are suspects. Prosecutions have commenced in some of these cases but they are yet to reach the trial stage.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has to set up branches of the Serious Fraud Office in the regions. [146165]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI have no current plans to set up regional offices; staff are employed and based in the regions from time to time in accordance with individual case demands. However, with nearly 50 per cent. of cases based in London and the South East and a current total permanent staff of some 240, it has so far proved not to be necessary or economic to establish a regional base. As the Serious Fraud Office expands this is something that will be kept under review.