HC Deb 16 March 2004 vol 419 cc183-4W
Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 2 March 2004,Official Report, column 899W, on criminal assets, in how many of the 1,219 cases cited an order made was under section 295(2) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2003 to extend the period for which the seized cash was detained. [160195]

Caroline Flint

An order was made under section 295(2) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 in 1,218 cases, to extend the period for which the seized cash was detained.

Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 2 March 2004,Official Report, column 899W, on criminal assets (1) what quantity of cash seized during this period was paid into a bank account under the terms of section 296 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2003, broken down by relevant bank and building society; [160196]

(2) what proportion of cash seized has subsequently been released; [160197]

(3) in how many of the 1,219 cases cited compensation has been paid (a) for loss of interest which would have been earned and (b) for additional loss under section 302(4) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2003. [160198]

Caroline Flint

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total value of assets recovered by the Assets Recovery Agency is since its establishment. [160067]

Caroline Flint

Since the agency became operational on 24 February 2003, the total value of assets under its investigation is over £50 million of which over £13.5 million is currently frozen under court orders, pending hearings for recovery orders. In addition, four tax assessments have been issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 with a total value of £728,000. Tax receipts with a total value of £2,000 have so far been recovered. The agency has also provided assistance to law enforcement agencies in 19 confiscation order cases in which assets with a total value of £4.4 million have been restrained.