§ Baroness Gould of Potternewtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they plan to publish the Assets Recovery Agency business plan. [HL3917]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe are pleased to announce that copies of the first annual business plan for the Assets Recovery Agency has been placed in the Library of this House. The plan has been prepared by the director of the agency and has been approved by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
The plan is the first by the new agency and covers the financial year 2003–04, its first full year of operation. In accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the plan includes a statement of the director's objectives for the financial year; performance targets; priorities; financial resources; and the proposed allocation of those resources.
We particularly welcome the emphasis on reducing crime through recovering criminal assets by working in partnership with other organisations. The plan also recognises the agency's important role in Northern Ireland and the need to work with partner agencies there.
The agency has a major role to play in recovering criminal assets and making sure that crime does not pay. The plan sets out how it will achieve this in 2003–04.