§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he expects to take place in the Council of Ministers relating to judicial and police co-operation in respect of the use of joint teams of police officers to investigate fraudulent transactions within the United Kingdom arising from the receipt of funds from the European Union. [85674]
§ Kate HoeyThe draft Convention on mutual assistance on criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union includes a provision on joint investigation teams. This would provide for co-operation between the competent authorities of the Member States, including judicial, police and customs authorities, in the use of joint investigation teams to carry out criminal investigations in one or more Member States. The provision applies to criminal activities in general, and does not refer specifically to financial fraud affecting European Union funds. The detail of this provision is subject to further negotiation.