§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much ring-fenced funding has been available to law enforcement agencies to deal with overseas corruption allegations in each of the last five years. [183447]
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§ Paul GogginsImplementation of Part 12 of the Antiterrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 Act (ATCS) forms part of the National Policing Plan. Each police authority will take the National Policing Plan into account when drawing up their Local Policing Plans.
As far as police authorities are concerned, every effort is made to allow police authorities as much scope as possible by not ring-fencing grant wherever feasible. In exceptional circumstances, the Home Secretary may be prepared to contribute to unforeseen costs within certain limits.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been repatriated, and to which overseas countries, as a result of corruption investigations in the UK in each of the last five years. [183448]
§ Caroline FlintI am not aware of any instances of repatriation of funds as a result of corruption investigations over the past five years. The UK Central Authority (UKCA) in the Home Office received a total of 22 incoming requests for restraint and confiscation of assets in 2003, and has received 10 so far this year. However, more detailed statistics detailing the offences to which requests relate and whether funds have been repatriated are not available.
The UK is committed to assist its international partners in this area. It has signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which obliges parties to return assets to the requesting State where the case involves the embezzlement of public funds or the laundering of public funds.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to revise the legislation on corruption; and if he will make a statement. [183449]
§ Paul GogginsThe Government published a draft Corruption Bill in March 2003 for pre-legislative scrutiny in order to consolidate and clarify the criminal law on bribery. Pursuant to the Joint Committee report and recommendations, the Government published their reply to the Joint Committee in December 2003 setting out the extent to which it agreed with the Committee. It indicated that the intention is to introduce a revised Bill to Parliament in due course, which remains the position.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are on the national register of overseas corruption allegations held by the National Criminal Intelligence Service; and of these how many are being investigated. [183450]
§ Caroline FlintThe National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) currently has 23 referrals on the Antiterrorism and Crime Security Act register. Of those which it is possible to pursue, six are being considered by NCIS and six have been passed to law enforcement agencies for investigation under the Act.