§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the agreement reached at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March to introduce an EU-wide minimum prison sentence for counterfeiting the euro; what plans he has to implement that decision; what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement; [118075]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the framework decision on the protection of the euro against counterfeiting discussed at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March; [118068]
(3) what were the accompanying measures aimed at supporting the objectives of the framework decision in respect of the criminal sanctions against counterfeiting of the euro, announced by Commissioner Vitorino at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March; [118069]
(4) what plans Her Majesty's Government have to make it a criminal offence in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland to counterfeit the euro; and if he will make a statement. [118078]
§ Mr. BoatengI am placing in the Library a copy of the draft framework decision as deposited for Scrutiny.
Article 6(2) of the draft framework decision provides that offences of fraudulent making, shall be
punishable by terms of imprisonment, the maximum being not less than eight years.The maximum term of imprisonment already provided for these offences under existing United Kingdom legislation is 10 years. Article 6 of the framework decision will not, therefore, require new legislation or result in any additional costs. In all parts of the United Kingdom it is already a criminal offence to counterfeit any currency which is customarily used as money, including the euro.
The Commission has indicated that it plans to bring forward a number of accompanying measures aimed at supporting the objectives of the framework decision in the area of judicial co-operation, exchange of information and training. The Commission hopes to make a formal proposal to this effect during the Portuguese Presidency.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount has been spent under the National Changeover Plan in connection with measures to combat the counterfeiting of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [118076]
§ Mr. BoatengMeasures to combat the counterfeiting of the euro do not come within the scope of the National Changeover Plan.