§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the change in ranking of the UK in the Transparency International Corruption Index; and if he will(a) make a statement on his plans to tackle money laundering and (b) introduce legislation to make bribery of foreign officials a crime. [2275]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthI have been asked to reply.
Although the United Kingdom has shifted from 10th to 13th out of 91 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Index, it remains better placed than most other countries, including all but one of its G8 partners.
Legislation to amend the law on money laundering and corruption was announced in the Queen's Speech on 20 June 2001. The legislation on corruption will cover the bribery of foreign officials.