§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to monitor the operation of the Assets Recovery Agency in Northern Ireland. [156604]
§ Jane KennedyThe Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 requires the Director of the Agency to prepare an annual plan setting out how she intends to exercise her functions during the financial year. The plan includes a statement of the objectives and any performance targets and sets out in particular how the Director intends to exercise her functions in Northern Ireland. It is referred to the Secretary of State for approval.
The Director must, as soon as possible after the end of each financial year, prepare a report on how she has exercised her functions during the financial year.
I receive regular progress reports from the Agency's Director and the Assistant Director.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the budget of the Assets Recovery Agency has been in each year since its creation. [156630]
§ Jane KennedyThe Assets Recovery Agency became operational on 24 February 2003. Budget and resource allocation is a matter for the Home Office. The Agency's initial budget for the United Kingdom for 2003–04 is £13 million.