§ Lord Tomlinsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will publish the Government's Asset Recovery Strategy. [HL1690]
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§ Lord RookerWe are publishing the strategy today. Copies have been placed in the Vote Office and the Library and sent to the members of the Standing Committee currently considering the Proceeds of Crime Bill.
The Asset Recovery Strategy is the first United Kingdom-wide initiative of its kind, in which the law enforcement, prosecution and relevant government bodies have joined together to commit themselves to making financial investigation and asset recovery a higher priority.
The strategy's aims are: to make greater use of the investigation of criminal assets in the fight against crime; to recover money that has been made from crime or which is intended for use in crime; to prevent criminals and their associates from laundering the proceeds of criminal conduct and to detect and penalise such laundering where it occurs; and to use the proceeds recovered for the benefit of the community.
The strategy sets out our objectives for meeting the challenging financial investigation target of recovering £60 million in confiscation and forfeiture receipts during the 2004–05 financial year. Hitting this target would achieve the Government's commitment of doubling amounts recovered from drug traffickers and other major criminals by 2004.
It is not acceptable that people should enjoy the proceeds of criminal activity and live a life of luxury when it is built on the misery of victims or activities which damage or exploit society.
The strategy we are publishing today sets out how we propose to push forward recovering criminal assets with partners both inside and outside government. Alongside the Proceeds of Crime Bill, the strategy will help take the profit out of crime and dismantle and disrupt criminal enterprises.
The strategy will be updated with further targets when the Bill is implemented and the new assets recovery agency is established.
§ Baroness Whitakerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to issue a modified code of practice for authorised officers in relation to their proposal to widen the scope of the cash seizure powers in the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill. [HL1691]
§ Lord RookerClause 1 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill enables my right honourable friend the Home Secretary to make whatever modifications he thinks are necessary or expedient to any code of practice in operation under Schedule 14 to the Terrorism Act 2000. Such modifications can be made in an order under Clause 123 of the Bill, bringing the cash seizure provisions in Schedule 1 to the Bill into force. My right honourable friend has today made available in the Library a draft code of practice for42WA authorised officers showing where he believes the modifications are required. These modifications are still subject to final consultation with the police and others.