§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Attorney-General what jurisdiction and role the Serious Fraud Office has in Scotland. [39220]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Serious Fraud Office was established by section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. The power of the director of the Serious Fraud Office to investigate offences involving serious or complex fraud is confined to those justiciable in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. By virtue of section 17(2) of the 1987 Act the investigative powers of the director under section 2 of that Act—the powers to require the production of documents and the answering of questions—are exercisable in Scotland in connection with offences committed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Provision is made in section 2(19) for the director to apply to a sheriff in Scotland for a warrant to be granted under section 2(4) and (5) to search premises in Scotland and to take possession of documents found therein.