§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the start-up costs of the National Confiscation Agency; and if he will make a statement. [133286]
§ Mr. BoatengOur current best estimate of the start up costs is £2.15 million.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the establishment and operation of the National Confiscation Agency. [132474]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe report by the Performance and Innovation Unit published on 14 June envisages the establishment of a National Confiscation Agency (NCA) with responsibility for bringing confiscation proceedings in criminal cases, initiating civil proceedings for forfeiture of criminal assets under new powers, and raising tax demands on suspect gains. The NCA will also operate a financial investigation centre of excellence, with responsibility for training and accrediting financial investigators in the criminal justice system. The director of the NCA will report to the Home Secretary and be responsible for drawing up an Asset Confiscation Strategy in consultation with other authorities in the criminal justice system. It is my intention to bring forward legislation at the earliest opportunity to implement the report's conclusions.