§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Attorney-General whether, in view of the recent court judgments which prevented the police restraining convicted defendants from profiting from assets obtained as a result of mortgage fraud, there are any legislative measures proposed to close this loophole.
§ Mr. John PattenI have been asked to reply.
Part VI of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 empowers the courts to restrain and confiscate property in proceedings for serious offences, including offences of the kind alleged in this case. We expect to bring these provisions into force in April 1989.