§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bids were submitted for funding in the second round of the Recovered Assets Fund; how many of these were recommended for funding; how the selection of bids was made; and if he will make a statement on when the next round of bidding will begin. [79536]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthA total of 330 bids were received in round two (compared to 130 in round one) of which 27 (21 in round one) with a total cost of £ 11.5 million (£3 million in round one) were recommended for funding.
The bids selected for an award of grant were those which were assessed as best able to meet the objectives of the Fund and as far as possible ensured coverage of a wide geographical area.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I are currently reviewing the future use and operation of the Fund. Future bidding rounds will be dependent on the outcome of the review on which I hope to make an announcement before the end of the year.