§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total budget of the Assets Recovery Agency has been since January 2003; and how many staff have been employed. [179893]
§ Caroline Flint[holding answer 22 June 2004]: The Assets Recovery Agency became operational on the 24 February 2003. It received a budget of —13 million in 2003–04 and £15.5 million in 2004–05. The agency employs a total of 131 staff.
§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been recovered by the Assets Recovery Agency since January 2003 through civil recovery orders. [179894]
§ Caroline Flint[holding answer 22 June 2004]: The Assets Recovery Agency became operational on 24 February 2003. In its first full year of operation, the 1504W agency adopted for action 59 civil recovery cases. These cases have almost —50 million of recoverable assets attributable to them. In 24 of the cases interim receiving orders or freezing orders have been obtained with a total recoverable asset value of £14.1 million.
The agency has successfully recovered £2,000 in a tax assessment case, £16,000 in a civil recovery order and obtained a confiscation order with a value of £335,000.
§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil recovery orders have been successfully prosecuted by the Assets Recovery Agency since January 2003. [179895]
§ Caroline Flint[holding answer 22 June 2004]: The Assets Recovery Agency became operational on the 24 February 2003. In its first full year of operation the Agency adopted for action 59 civil recovery cases. A further 27 cases are being assessed for possible civil recovery action. The Agency has successfully completed one civil recovery order. The remaining cases are being taken forward.
The Agency has also obtained one criminal confiscation order and has assisted the law enforcement authorities in the investigation of 17 confiscation cases.