§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time has been for assets of defendants to be frozen in cases while they were being prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. [176894]
§ Mr. PearsonThe information requested cannot be provided as data are not recorded in a way which would allow an accurate assessment to be made of the average length of time that defendants assets are frozen. A restraint order is obtained at the outset of criminal proceedings when an individual is charged or is about to be charged and remains in force until any confiscation order is satisfied in full.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have had their assets frozen while being prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 in each year since the introduction of the order. [176895]
§ Mr. PearsonA substantial manual search of records is required to collate the information requested. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with this information once it is available. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.