§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 in tackling terrorism in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [145077]
§ Mr. BlunkettI refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 18 December 2003,Official Report, column 147WS. The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 has improved our ability to fight crime and terrorism in a number of ways. I have provided several examples of the Acts effectiveness as follows:
Under Disclosure of Information powers over 100 disclosures were provided to law enforcement agencies in relation to ongoing terrorist investigations.Terrorist cash has been seized on 18 occasions since the Act's introduction.438WSeveral arrests and prosecutions have been made under the newly created offences of "withholding information relating to a terrorist act" and "Hoaxing".24 individuals have been convicted under the newly created offence of "religiously aggravated crime".A fuller and more detailed assessment of the improvements that Act has made will be made in the coming weeks when the Privy Council's report on Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 is debated in both Houses of Parliament.