HL Deb 29 October 1996 vol 575 c11WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take steps to abolish the secrecy of offshore bank accounts in British Dependent Territories in the interests of detecting and preventing crime, except where genuine commercial confidentiality otherwise requires; and, if not, why not.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

All Dependent Territories are taking substantial steps towards allowing both domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies the same access to otherwise confidential financial information as in the UK. These are important measures for the fight against international crime.