§ 2. Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on European Union initiatives to combat organised crime. [40264]
§ Mr. StrawThis has been a major priority for the United Kingdom Presidency.
We have made good progress in implementing the Action Plans on organised crime and drugs, which have included: negotiation of a Pre-Accession Pact with the countries of central and eastern Europe and Cyprus; a new funding programme [to support further action against organised crime]; the new convention on mutual legal assistance.
And we have resolved most of the outstanding difficulties to allow Europol to become fully functional in the autumn.
§ 23. Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure effective responses to evidence of sophisticated syndicates of organised criminals operating across national borders. [40285]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Government have used the opportunity of the Presidency of the European Union to drive forward the fight against transnational organised crime and the menace it poses. The National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad provide a focus for operational activity which contributes to efficient and effective international co-operation.